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# Therigatha

## Chapter VI -- The Sixes

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VI.1 -- Patacara's 500 Students {vv. 127-132}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

[Patacara recounts the Buddha's words:]

> "You don't know
> the path
> of his coming or going,
> that being who has come
> from where? --
> the one you lament as 'my son.'
> But when you know
> the path
> of his coming or going,
> you don't grieve after him,
> for that is the nature
> of beings.

> Unasked,
> he came from there.
> Without permission,
> he went from here --
> coming from where?
> having stayed a few days.
> And coming one way from here,
> he goes yet another
> from there.
> Dying in the human form,
> he will go wandering on.
> As he came, so he has gone --
> so what is there
> to lament?"

> Pulling out
> -- completely out --
> the arrow so hard to see,
> embedded in my heart,
> he expelled from me
> -- overcome with grief --
> the grief
> over my son.

> Today -- with arrow removed,
> without hunger, entirely
> Unbound --
> to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha I go,
> for refuge to
> the Sage.

VI.2 -- Vasitthi the Madwoman {vv. 133-138}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

> Overwhelmed with grief for my son --
> naked, demented,
> my hair dishevelled
> my mind deranged --
> I went about here & there,
> living along the side of the road,
> in cemeteries & heaps of trash,
> for three full years,
> afflicted with hunger & thirst.

> Then I saw
> the One Well-gone,
> gone to the city of Mithila:
> tamer of those untamed,
> Self-Awakened,
> with nothing to fear
> from anything, anywhere.

> Regaining my mind,
> paying him homage,
> I sat myself down.
> He, Gotama, from sympathy
> taught me the Dhamma.
> Hearing his Dhamma,
> I went forth into homelessness.
> Applying myself to the Teacher's words,
> I realized the state of auspicious bliss.

> All griefs have been cut off,
> abandoned,
> brought to this end,
> for I've comprehended
> the grounds from which griefs
> come into play.

VI.4 -- The Verses of Final Knowledge of Bhikkhuni Sujata {vv. 145-150}
[Hellmuth Hecker/Sister Khema, trans. From Buddhist Women at the Time of The Buddha (WH 292/293), by Hellmuth Hecker, translated from the German by Sister Khema, (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1982). Copyright ©1982 Buddhist Publication Society. Used with permission.]

> With subtle veils adorned,
> Garlands and sandal-wood bedecked,
> Covered all over with ornaments,
> Surrounded by my servants,
> Taking with us food and drink,
> Eatables of many kinds,
> Setting off from the house,
> To the forest grove we took it all.

> Having enjoyed and sported there,
> We turned our feet to home
> But on the way I saw and entered
> Near Saketa, a monastery.
> Seeing the Light of the World
> I drew near, bowed down to Him;
> Out of compassion the Seeing One
> Then taught me Dhamma there.

> Hearing the words of the Great Sage,
> I penetrated Truth:
> The Dhamma passionless,
> I touched the Dhamma of Deathlessness.
> When the True Dhamma had been known,
> I went forth to the homeless life;
> The three True Knowledges are attained,
> Not empty the Buddha's Teaching!

VI.5 -- Anopama, the Millionaire's Daughter {vv. 151-156}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

> Born in a high-ranking family
> with much property, great wealth,
> consummate in complexion & figure,
> I was the daughter of Majjha, the treasurer.
> Sons of kings sought for me,
> sons of rich merchants
> longed for me.
> One of them sent my father a messenger,
> saying, "Give me Anopama.
> I will give in return
> eight times her weight
> in jewels & gold."
> But I, having seen
> the One Self-awakened,
> unsurpassed, excelling the world,
> paid homage to his feet,
> sat down to one side.
> He, Gotama, from sympathy,
> taught me the Dhamma.
> And as I sat in that very seat,
> I attained the third fruit
> [of non-return.]
> Then I cut off my hair,
> and went forth into homelessness.
> Today is the seventh day
> since I made craving
> wither away.

Revised: Fri 12 April 2002