1.1Mantāvatiyā nagare,In Mantāvatī city, Sumedhā,1.2Rañño koñcassa aggamahesiyā;the daughter of King Koñca’s chief queen,1.3Dhītā āsiṁ sumedhā,was converted by those1.4Pasāditā sāsanakarehi.who practice the Buddha’s teaching.

2.1Sīlavatī cittakathā,She was virtuous, a brilliant speaker,2.2Bahussutā buddhasāsane vinitā;learned, and trained in the Buddha’s instructions.2.3Mātāpitaro upagamma,She went up to her mother and father and said:2.4Bhaṇati “ubhayo nisāmetha.“Pay heed, both of you!

3.1Nibbānābhiratāhaṁ,I delight in extinguishment!3.2Asassataṁ bhavagataṁ yadipi dibbaṁ;No state of life is eternal, not even that of the gods;¹3.3Kimaṅgaṁ pana tucchā kāmā,what then of sensual pleasures, so hollow,3.4Appassādā bahuvighātā.offering little gratification and much distress.

4.1Kāmā kaṭukā āsī,Sensual pleasures are bitter as the venom of a snake,4.2Visūpamā yesu mucchitā bālā;yet fools are infatuated by them.4.3Te dīgharattaṁ niraye,Sent to hell for a very long time,4.4Samappitā haññante dukkhitā.they are beaten and tortured.

5.1Socanti pāpakammā,Those who grow in wickedness5.2Vinipāte pāpavaddhino sadā;ever lament in the underworld <j>due to their own bad deeds.5.3Kāyena ca vācāya ca,They’re fools, unrestrained in body,5.4Manasā ca asaṁvutā bālā.mind, and speech.

6.1Bālā te duppaññā,Those witless, senseless fools,6.2Acetanā dukkhasamudayoruddhā;trapped by the origin of suffering,6.3Desente ajānantā,are ignorant, not understanding the noble truths6.4Na bujjhare ariyasaccāni.when they are being taught.

7.1Saccāni amma buddhavaradesitāni,Most people, mum, ignorant of the truths7.2Te bahutarā ajānantā ye;taught by the excellent Buddha,7.3Abhinandanti bhavagataṁ,look forward to a state of life,7.4Pihenti devesu upapattiṁ.longing for rebirth among the gods.

8.1Devesupi upapatti,Yet even rebirth among the gods8.2Asassatā bhavagate aniccamhi;in an impermanent state of life is not eternal.8.3Na ca santasanti bālā,But fools are not scared8.4Punappunaṁ jāyitabbassa.of being reborn time and again.

9.1Cattāro vinipātā,Four lower realms and two other realms9.2Duve ca gatiyo kathañci labbhanti;may be gained somehow or other.9.3Na ca vinipātagatānaṁ,But for those who end up in a lower realm,9.4Pabbajjā atthi nirayesu.there is no way to go forth in the hells.

10.1Anujānātha maṁ ubhayo,May you both grant me permission to go forth10.2Pabbajituṁ dasabalassa pāvacane;in the dispensation of him of the ten powers.10.3Appossukkā ghaṭissaṁ,Living at ease, I shall apply myself10.4Jātimaraṇappahānāya.to giving up rebirth and death.

11.1Kiṁ bhavagate abhinanditena,Why look forward to a new state of life11.2Kāyakalinā asārena;in this useless, insubstantial body?11.3Bhavataṇhāya nirodhā,Grant me permission, I shall go forth11.4Anujānātha pabbajissāmi.to make an end of craving for a new life.

12.1Buddhānaṁ uppādo vivajjito,A Buddha has arisen, the time has come,12.2Akkhaṇo khaṇo laddho;the unlucky moment has passed.12.3Sīlāni brahmacariyaṁ,As long as I live I’ll never betray12.4Yāvajīvaṁ na dūseyyaṁ”.my ethical precepts or my chaste path.”

13.1Evaṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,Then Sumedhā said to her parents:13.2Mātāpitaro “na tāva āhāraṁ;“So long as I remain a layperson,13.3Āharissaṁ gahaṭṭhā,I’ll refuse to eat any food,13.4Maraṇavasaṁ gatāva hessāmi”.until I’ve fallen under the sway of death.”

14.1Mātā dukkhitā rodati pitā ca,Upset, her mother burst into tears,14.2Assā sabbaso samabhihato;while her father, though grieved,14.3Ghaṭenti saññāpetuṁ,tried his best to persuade her14.4Pāsādatale chamāpatitaṁ.as she lay collapsed upstairs in the longhouse.

15.1“Uṭṭhehi puttaka kiṁ soci,“Get up child, why do you grieve so?15.2Tena dinnāsi vāraṇavatimhi;You’re already betrothed to be married!15.3Rājā anīkaratto,King Anīkaratta the handsome15.4Abhirūpo tassa tvaṁ dinnā.is in Vāraṇavatī: he is your betrothed.

16.1Aggamahesī bhavissasi,You shall be the chief queen,16.2Anikarattassa rājino bhariyā;wife of King Anīkaratta.16.3Sīlāni brahmacariyaṁ,Ethical precepts, the chaste path—16.4Pabbajjā dukkarā puttaka.going forth is hard to do, my child.

17.1Rajje āṇā dhanamissariyaṁ,As a royal there is command, wealth, authority,17.2Bhogā sukhā daharikāsi;and the happiness of possessions.17.3Bhuñjāhi kāmabhoge,Enjoy sensual pleasures while you’re still young!17.4Vāreyyaṁ hotu te putta”.Let your wedding take place, my child!”

18.1Atha ne bhaṇati sumedhā,Then Sumedhā said to him:18.2“Mā edisikāni bhavagatamasāraṁ;“Let this not come to pass! Existence is hollow!18.3Pabbajjā vā hohiti,I shall either go forth or die,18.4Maraṇaṁ vā me na ceva vāreyyaṁ.but I shall never marry.

19.1Kimiva pūtikāyamasuciṁ,Why cling to this rotting body so foul,19.2Savanagandhaṁ bhayānakaṁ kuṇapaṁ;stinking of fluids,19.3Abhisaṁviseyyaṁ bhastaṁ,a horrifying water-bag carcass,19.4Asakiṁ paggharitaṁ asucipuṇṇaṁ.always oozing, full of filth?

20.1Kimiva tahaṁ jānantī,Knowing it like I do, what’s the point?20.2Vikūlakaṁ maṁsasoṇitupalittaṁ;A carcass is vile, smeared with flesh and blood,20.3Kimikulālayaṁ sakuṇabhattaṁ,food for birds and swarms of worms—20.4Kaḷevaraṁ kissa diyyati.why have we been given it?

21.1Nibbuyhati susānaṁ,Before long the body, bereft of consciousness,21.2Aciraṁ kāyo apetaviññāṇo;is carried out to the charnel ground,21.3Chuddho kaḷiṅgaraṁ viya,to be discarded like an old log21.4Jigucchamānehi ñātīhi.by relatives in disgust.

22.1Chuddhūna naṁ susāne,When they’ve discarded it in the charnel ground,22.2Parabhattaṁ nhāyanti jigucchantā;to be eaten by others, your own parents22.3Niyakā mātāpitaro,bathe themselves, disgusted;22.4Kiṁ pana sādhāraṇā janatā.what then of people at large?

23.1Ajjhositā asāre,They’re attached to this hollow carcass,23.2Kaḷevare aṭṭhinhārusaṅghāte;this mass of sinews and bone;23.3Kheḷassuccārassava,this rotting body23.4Paripuṇṇe pūtikāyamhi.full of saliva, tears, feces, and pus.

24.1Yo naṁ vinibbhujitvā,If anyone were to dissect it,24.2Abbhantaramassa bāhiraṁ kayirā;turning it inside out,24.3Gandhassa asahamānā,the unbearable stench24.4Sakāpi mātā jiguccheyya.would disgust even their own mother.

25.1Khandhadhātuāyatanaṁ,Rationally examining25.2Saṅkhataṁ jātimūlakaṁ dukkhaṁ;the aggregates, elements, and sense fields25.3Yoniso anuvicinantī,as conditioned, rooted in birth, suffering—25.4Vāreyyaṁ kissa iccheyyaṁ.why would I wish for marriage?

26.1Divase divase tisatti,Let three hundred sharp swords26.2Satāni navanavā pateyyuṁ kāyamhi;fall on my body everyday!26.3Vassasatampi ca ghāto,Even if the slaughter lasted a hundred years26.4Seyyo dukkhassa cevaṁ khayo.it’d be worth it if it led to the end of suffering.

27.1Ajjhupagacche ghātaṁ,One who understands the Teacher’s words27.2Yo viññāyevaṁ satthuno vacanaṁ;would put up with this slaughter:27.3‘Dīgho tesaṁ saṁsāro,‘Long for you is transmigration27.4Punappunaṁ haññamānānaṁ’.being killed time and time again.’

28.1Devesu manussesu ca,Among gods and humans,28.2Tiracchānayoniyā asurakāye;in the realm of animals or that of titans,28.3Petesu ca nirayesu ca,among the ghosts or in the hells,28.4Aparimitā dissare ghātā.endless killings are seen.

29.1Ghātā nirayesu bahū,The hells are full of killing,29.2Vinipātagatassa pīḷiyamānassa;for the corrupt who have fallen to the underworld.29.3Devesupi attāṇaṁ,Even among the gods there is no shelter,29.4Nibbānasukhā paraṁ natthi.for no happiness excels extinguishment.

30.1Pattā te nibbānaṁ,Those who are committed to the dispensation30.2Ye yuttā dasabalassa pāvacane;of him of the ten powers attain extinguishment.30.3Appossukkā ghaṭenti,Living at ease, they apply themselves30.4Jātimaraṇappahānāya.to giving up rebirth and death.

31.1Ajjeva tātabhinikkha-On this very day, dad, I shall renounce:31.2missaṁ bhogehi kiṁ asārehi;what’s to enjoy in hollow riches?31.3Nibbinnā me kāmā,I’m disillusioned with sensual pleasures,31.4Vantasamā tālavatthukatā”.they’re like vomit, made like a palm stump.”

32.1Sā cevaṁ bhaṇati pitaram-As she spoke thus to her father,32.2anīkaratto ca yassa sā dinnā;Anīkaratta, to whom she was betrothed,32.3Upayāsi vāraṇavate,approached from Vāraṇavatī32.4Vāreyyamupaṭṭhite kāle.at the time appointed for the marriage.

33.1Atha asitanicitamuduke,Then Sumedhā took up a knife,33.2Kese khaggena chindiya sumedhā;and cut off her hair, so black, thick, and soft.33.3Pāsādaṁ pidahitvā,Shutting herself in the longhouse,33.4Paṭhamajjhānaṁ samāpajji.she entered the first absorption.

34.1Sā ca tahiṁ samāpannā,And as she entered it there,34.2Anīkaratto ca āgato nagaraṁ;Anīkaratta arrived at the city.34.3Pāsāde ca sumedhā,Then in the longhouse, Sumedhā34.4Aniccasaññaṁ subhāveti.well developed the perception of impermanence.

35.1Sā ca manasi karoti,As she investigated in meditation,35.2Anīkaratto ca āruhī turitaṁ;Anīkaratta quickly climbed the stairs.35.3Maṇikanakabhūsitaṅgo,His limbs adorned with gems <j>and honey-yellow gold,35.4Katañjalī yācati sumedhaṁ.he begged Sumedhā with cupped palms:

36.1“Rajje āṇādhanamissa-“As a royal there is command, wealth, authority,36.2riyaṁ bhogā sukhā daharikāsi;and the happiness of possessions.36.3Bhuñjāhi kāmabhoge,Enjoy sensual pleasures while you’re still young!36.4Kāmasukhā dullabhā loke.Sensual pleasures are hard to find in the world!

37.1Nissaṭṭhaṁ te rajjaṁ,I’ve handed royalty to you—37.2Bhoge bhuñjassu dehi dānāni;enjoy riches, give gifts!37.3Mā dummanā ahosi,Don’t be sad;37.4Mātāpitaro te dukkhitā”.your parents are upset.”

38.1Taṁ taṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,Sumedhā, having no use for sensual pleasures,38.2Kāmehi anatthikā vigatamohā;and having done away with delusion, <j>spoke right back:38.3“Mā kāme abhinandi,“Do not take pleasure in sensuality!38.4Kāmesvādīnavaṁ passa.See the danger in sensual pleasures!

39.1Cātuddīpo rājā,Mandhātā, king of four continents,39.2Mandhātā āsi kāmabhoginamaggo;foremost in enjoying sensual pleasures,39.3Atitto kālaṅkato,died unsated,39.4Na cassa paripūritā icchā.his desires unfulfilled.

40.1Satta ratanāni vasseyya,Were the seven jewels to rain from the sky40.2Vuṭṭhimā dasadisā samantena;all over the ten directions,40.3Na catthi titti kāmānaṁ,there would be no sating of sensual pleasures:40.4Atittāva maranti narā.people die insatiable.

41.1Asisūnūpamā kāmā,Like a butcher’s knife and chopping board,41.2kāmā sappasiropamā;sensual pleasures are like a cobra’s head.41.3Ukkopamā anudahanti,They burn like a fire-brand,41.4aṭṭhikaṅkala sannibhā.they resemble a skeleton.

42.1Aniccā adhuvā kāmā,Sensual pleasures are impermanent and unstable,42.2bahudukkhā mahāvisā;they’re full of suffering, a terrible poison;42.3Ayoguḷova santatto,like a hot iron ball,42.4aghamūlā dukhapphalā.the root of gloom, their fruit is pain.

43.1Rukkhapphalūpamā kāmā,Sensual pleasures are like fruits of a tree,43.2maṁsapesūpamā dukhā;like scraps of meat, painful,43.3Supinopamā vañcaniyā,they trick you like a dream;43.4kāmā yācitakūpamā.sensual pleasures are like borrowed goods.

44.1Sattisūlūpamā kāmā,Sensual pleasures are like swords and spears;44.2rogo gaṇḍo aghaṁ nighaṁ;a disease, a boil, gloom and trouble.44.3Aṅgārakāsusadisā,Like a pit of glowing coals,44.4aghamūlaṁ bhayaṁ vadho.the root of gloom, fear and slaughter.

45.1Evaṁ bahudukkhā kāmā,Thus sensual pleasures have been explained45.2akkhātā antarāyikā;to be obstructions, so full of suffering.45.3Gacchatha na me bhavagate,Please leave! As for me,45.4vissāso atthi attano.I have no trust in any state of life.

46.1Kiṁ mama paro karissati,What can someone else do for me46.2Attano sīsamhi ḍayhamānamhi;when their own head is burning?46.3Anubandhe jarāmaraṇe,When stalked by old age and death,46.4Tassa ghātāya ghaṭitabbaṁ”.you should strive to destroy them.”

47.1Dvāraṁ apāpuritvānahaṁ,She opened the door47.2Mātāpitaro anīkarattañca;and saw her parents with Anīkaratta,47.3Disvāna chamaṁ nisinne,sitting crying on the floor.47.4Rodante idamavocaṁ.And so she said this:

48.1“Dīgho bālānaṁ saṁsāro,“Transmigration is long for fools,48.2Punappunañca rodataṁ;crying again and again <j>at that with no known beginning—48.3Anamatagge pitu maraṇe,the death of a father,48.4Bhātu vadhe attano ca vadhe.the killing of a brother or of themselves.

49.1Assu thaññaṁ rudhiraṁ,Remember the ocean of tears, of milk, of blood—49.2Saṁsāraṁ anamataggato saratha;transmigration with no known beginning.49.3Sattānaṁ saṁsarataṁ,Remember the bones piled up49.4Sarāhi aṭṭhīnañca sannicayaṁ.by beings transmigrating.

50.1Sara caturodadhī,Remember the four oceans50.2Upanīte assuthaññarudhiramhi;compared with tears, milk, and blood.50.3Sara ekakappamaṭṭhīnaṁ,Remember bones piled up high as Mount Vepulla50.4Sañcayaṁ vipulena samaṁ.in the course of a single eon.

51.1Anamatagge saṁsarato,Transmigration with no known beginning51.2Mahiṁ jambudīpamupanītaṁ;is compared to this broad Black Plum Tree Land;51.3Kolaṭṭhimattaguḷikā,if divided into lumps the size of jujube seeds,51.4Mātā mātusveva nappahonti.they’d still be fewer than his mother’s mothers.

52.1Tiṇakaṭṭhasākhāpalāsaṁ,Remember the grass, sticks, and leaves,52.2Upanītaṁ anamataggato sara;compare that with no known beginning:52.3Caturaṅgulikā ghaṭikā,if split into chips four inches in size,52.4Pitupitusveva nappahonti.they’d still be fewer than his father’s fathers.

53.1Sara kāṇakacchapaṁ pubba-Remember the one-eyed turtle <j>and the yoke with a hole53.2samudde aparato ca yugachiddaṁ;blown in the ocean from east to west—53.3Siraṁ tassa ca paṭimukkaṁ,sticking the head in the hole53.4Manussalābhamhi opammaṁ.is a metaphor for gaining a human birth.

54.1Sara rūpaṁ pheṇapiṇḍopam-Remember the form of this unlucky body,54.2assa kāyakalino asārassa;insubstantial as a lump of foam.²54.3Khandhe passa anicce,See the aggregates as impermanent,54.4Sarāhi niraye bahuvighāte.remember the hells so full of distress.

55.1Sara kaṭasiṁ vaḍḍhente,Remember those swelling the charnel grounds55.2Punappunaṁ tāsu tāsu jātīsu;again and again in life after life.55.3Sara kumbhīlabhayāni ca,Remember the danger of gharials!³55.4Sarāhi cattāri saccāni.Remember the four truths!

56.1Amatamhi vijjamāne,When freedom from death is there to be found,56.2Kiṁ tava pañcakaṭukena pītena;why would you drink the five bitter poisons?56.3Sabbā hi kāmaratiyo,For all erotic delights56.4Kaṭukatarā pañcakaṭukena.are so much more bitter than them.

57.1Amatamhi vijjamāne,When freedom from death is there to be found,57.2Kiṁ tava kāmehi ye pariḷāhā;why would you burn for sensual pleasures?57.3Sabbā hi kāmaratiyo,For all erotic delights57.4Jalitā kuthitā kampitā santāpitā.are burning, boiling, bubbling, seething.

58.1Asapattamhi samāne,When there is freedom from enmity,58.2Kiṁ tava kāmehi ye bahusapattā;why would you want your enemy, sensual pleasures?58.3Rājaggicoraudakappiyehi,Many enemies take a share of your sensual pleasures:⁴58.4Sādhāraṇā kāmā bahusapattā.kings, fire, robbers, flood, and unloved heirs.

59.1Mokkhamhi vijjamāne,When liberation is there to be found,59.2Kiṁ tava kāmehi yesu vadhabandho;what good are sensual pleasures that kill and bind?59.3Kāmesu hi asakāmā,For though unwilling, <j>when sensual pleasures are there,59.4Vadhabandhadukhāni anubhonti.they are subject to the pain of killing and binding.

60.1Ādīpitā tiṇukkā,As a blazing grass torch60.2Gaṇhantaṁ dahanti neva muñcantaṁ;burns one who grasps it without letting go,60.3Ukkopamā hi kāmā,sensual pleasures are like a grass torch,60.4Dahanti ye te na muñcanti.burning those who do not let go.

61.1Mā appakassa hetu,Don’t give up abundant happiness61.2Kāmasukhassa vipulaṁ jahī sukhaṁ;for the trivial joys of sensual pleasure.61.3Mā puthulomova baḷisaṁ,Don’t fret later,61.4Gilitvā pacchā vihaññasi.like a catfish on a hook.

62.1Kāmaṁ kāmesu damassu,Deliberately control yourself <j>among sensual pleasures!62.2Tāva sunakhova saṅkhalābaddho;You’re like a hound fixed to a chain:62.3Kāhinti khu taṁ kāmā,sensual pleasures will surely devour you62.4Chātā sunakhaṁva caṇḍālā.as hungry corpse-workers would a hound.

63.1Aparimitañca dukkhaṁ,Harnessed to sensual pleasure,63.2Bahūni ca cittadomanassāni;you undergo endless pain,63.3Anubhohisi kāmayutto,along with much mental anguish:63.4Paṭinissaja addhuve kāme.relinquish sensual pleasures, they don’t last!

64.1Ajaramhi vijjamāne,When the unaging is there to be found,64.2Kiṁ tava kāmehi yesu jarā;what good are sensual pleasures in which is old age?64.3Maraṇabyādhigahitā,All rebirths everywhere64.4Sabbā sabbattha jātiyo.are bonded to death and sickness.

65.1Idamajaramidamamaraṁ,This is freedom from old age, freedom from death!65.2Idamajarāmaraṁ padamasokaṁ;This is freedom from old age and death, the sorrowless state!65.3Asapattamasambādhaṁ,Free of enmity, unconstricted,65.4Akhalitamabhayaṁ nirupatāpaṁ.faultless, fearless, without tribulations.

66.1Adhigatamidaṁ bahūhi,This freedom from death has been realized by many;66.2Amataṁ ajjāpi ca labhanīyamidaṁ;even today it can be obtained66.3Yo yoniso payuñjati,by those who rationally apply themselves;66.4Na ca sakkā aghaṭamānena”.but it’s impossible if you don’t try.”

67.1Evaṁ bhaṇati sumedhā,So said Sumedhā,67.2Saṅkhāragate ratiṁ alabhamānā;lacking delight in conditioned things.67.3Anunentī anikarattaṁ,Soothing Anīkaratta,67.4Kese ca chamaṁ khipi sumedhā.Sumedhā cast her hair on the ground.

68.1Uṭṭhāya anikaratto,Standing up, Anīkaratta68.2Pañjaliko yācatassā pitaraṁ so;raised his cupped palms to her father and begged:68.3“Vissajjetha sumedhaṁ,“Let go of Sumedhā, so that she may go forth!68.4Pabbajituṁ vimokkhasaccadassā”.She will see the truth of liberation.”

69.1Vissajjitā mātāpitūhi,Released by her mother and father,69.2pabbaji sokabhayabhītā;she went forth, afraid of grief and fear.69.3Cha abhiññā sacchikatā,While still a trainee nun <j>she realized the six direct knowledges,69.4aggaphalaṁ sikkhamānāya.along with the highest fruit.

70.1Acchariyamabbhutaṁ taṁ,The extinguishment of the princess70.2Nibbānaṁ āsi rājakaññāya;was incredible and amazing;70.3Pubbenivāsacaritaṁ,on her deathbed, she declared70.4Yathā byākari pacchime kāle.her several past lives.

71.1“Bhagavati koṇāgamane,“In the time of the Buddha Koṇāgamana,71.2Saṅghārāmamhi navanivesamhi;we three friends gave the gift71.3Sakhiyo tisso janiyo,of a newly-built dwelling71.4Vihāradānaṁ adāsimha.in the Saṅgha’s monastery.

72.1Dasakkhattuṁ satakkhattuṁ,Ten times, a hundred times,72.2Dasasatakkhattuṁ satāni ca satakkhattuṁ;a thousand times, ten thousand times,72.3Devesu uppajjimha,we were reborn among the gods,72.4Ko pana vādo manussesu.let alone among humans.

73.1Devesu mahiddhikā ahumha,We were mighty among the gods,73.2Mānusakamhi ko pana vādo;let alone among humans!73.3Sattaratanassa mahesī,I was queen to a king with the seven treasures—73.4Itthiratanaṁ ahaṁ āsiṁ.I was the treasure of a wife.

74.1So hetu so pabhavo,That was the cause, that the origin, that the root,74.2Taṁ mūlaṁ sāva sāsane khantī;that was the acceptance of the dispensation;74.3Taṁ paṭhamasamodhānaṁ,that first meeting culminated in extinguishment74.4Taṁ dhammaratāya nibbānaṁ.for one delighting in the teaching.

75.1Evaṁ karonti ye sadda-So say those who have faith in the words75.2hanti vacanaṁ anomapaññassa;of the one unrivaled in wisdom.75.3Nibbindanti bhavagate,They’re disillusioned with any state of life,75.4Nibbinditvā virajjantī”ti.and being disillusioned they become dispassionate.”

76.1Itthaṁ sudaṁ sumedhā therī gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.That is how these verses were recited by the senior nun Sumedhā.

76.2Mahānipāto niṭṭhito.

77.0Samattā therīgāthāyo

77.1Gāthāsatāni cattāri,77.2asīti puna cuddasa;77.3Theriyekuttarasatā,77.4sabbā tā āsavakkhayāti.

77.5Therīgāthāpāḷi niṭṭhitā.The Verses of the Senior Nuns are finished.