Kuddhaka Nikaya
The Collection of Little Texts
The Therī-Gāthā
PTS: Therī-Gāthā, Edited by Richard Pischel, p 123 of The Thera- and Therī-Gāthā: Stanzas Ascribed to Elders of the Buddhist Order of Recluses,
Psalms of the Early Buddhists, Edited by Hermann Oldenberg and Richard Pischel
Psalms of the Sisters, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans.
Elders' Verses i: Therīgāthā 2nd Edition, Translated by K.R. Norman
ATI: Selections translated by Bhikkhu Thanissaro
Highly recommended as inspiration for women and for information for feminists. The thing to note is where in many cases there is acceptance without complaint of what is understood by these women to be disagreeable positions in life and their transcendence of these situations through entering the order and personal achievement within the system ... as contrasted to the modern effort to change the situations. We are cast into roles, or destinies, in this life and unless the role calls for transgression of ethical bounds the best way to handle a role in terms of not creating new bad kamma and ending old kamma is to play the role well. Playing the role well is the highest form of disparagement of the idea that there is anything of substance in the world, and renouncing the world is the ultimate statement as to the hopelessness of any idea that it is a salvagable thing. Individuals are salvagable, the world goes round and round. Read your history.
I. Gāthaṃ abhāsitthā ti p123 [v 1]
PTS: A certain Sister of a noble family of Vesālī, known as 'Therīkā,' Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 9
A Certain Unknown Bhikkhunī, Norman, trans.
ATI: An Anonymous Bhikkhuni
II. Muttā, daughter of a brahmin of Sāvatthī p123 [v 2]
PTS: Verse wherewith the Exalted One frequently exhorted Muttā while a Student, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 10
Muttā, Norman, trans.
III. Puṇṇā, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Sāvatthī p123 [v 3]
PTS: Puṇṇā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 11
Puṇṇā, Norman, trans.
ATI: Punna
IV. Tissā, daughter of the Sākiyas, Kapilavatthu 123 [v 4]
PTS: Tissā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Tissā, Norman, trans.
V. Another Tissā p123 [v 5]
PTS: Another Sister Tissā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Another Tissā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Dhīrā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Dhīrā, Norman, trans.
VII. Another Dhīrā, p124 [v 7]
PTS: Another Sister Dhīrā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Another Dhīrā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Mittā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Mittā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Bhadrā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Bhadrā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Upasamā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 12
Upasamā, Norman, trans.
XI. Muttā, daughter and wife of Kosalan brahmins p124 [v 11]
PTS: Muttā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 15
Muttā, Norman, trans.
ATI: Mutta
XII. Dhammadinnā, daughter of a clansman (kulagehe), wife of a seṭṭhī (Visākha), both of Rājagaha, foremost of the Sisters who were preachers (Aṅg. Nik. i. 25) p124 [v 12]
PTS: Dhammadinnā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 16
Dhammadinnā, Norman, trans.
There is no history of this bhikkhuni given, and both Warren and Hare assume this is Visākhā Migara's Mother, granddaughter of Uggaha, who is elsewhere documented to have been a lay follower her entire life. Cited at AN 5.32 n 1.
PTS: Visākhā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 18
Visākhā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Sumanā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 18
Sumanā, Norman, trans.
PTS: Uttarā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 19
Uttarā, Norman, trans.
XVI. Sumanā vuḍḍhapabbajitā, sister of Pasenadi, King of Kosala p125 [v 16]
The story of Sumanā, sister of King Pasenadi, who became a bhikkhuni when very old. She became an Arahant prior to her entering the order and also apparently without attaining the jhānas. A companion piece to AN 5.31.
PTS: Sumanā who left the world when old Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 19
Sumanā, who went forth when old, Norman, trans.
XVII. Dhammā, daughter of a clansman of Sāvatthī p125 [v 17]
PTS: Dhammā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 20
Dhammā, Norman, trans.
ATI: Dhamma
PTS: Sanghā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 21
Sanghā, Norman, trans.
CANTO II. PSALMS OF TWO VERSES
XIX. Abhirūpa-Nandā, daughter of the Sākiyas, Kapilavatthu p125 [v 19-20]
PTS: Abhirūpa-Nandā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 22
XX. Jentī or Jentā, daughter of the Licchavis, Vesālī p125 [v 21-22]
PTS: Jentī or Jentā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 23
XXI. Sumangala's mother, daughter of poor people, wife of a rush-plaiter, Sāvatthī p126 [v 23-24]
PTS: Sumangala's Mother Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 24
ATI: Sumangala's Mother
XXII. Aḍḍhakāsī, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Kāsī, ex-courtezan p126 [v 25-26]
PTS: Aḍḍhakāsī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 25
XXIII. Cittā, daughter of great burgess of Rājagaha p126 [v 27-28]
PTS: Cittā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 27
XXIV. Mettikā, daughter of a brahmin of Rājagaha p126 [v 29-30]
PTS: Mettikā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 28
XXV. Mittā (2), daughter of the Sākiyas, Kapilavatthu p126 [v 31-32]
PTS: Mittā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 29
XXVI. Abhayā's mother, Padumavatī, ex-courtesan of Ujjenī p127 [v 33-34]
PTS: Abhaya's Mother Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 30
XXVII. Abhayā, daughter of a clansman of Ujjenī, friend of the foregoing p127 [v 35-36]
PTS: Abhayā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 31
XXVIII. Sāmā, daughter of a great burgess of Kosambī p127 [v 37-38]
PTS: Sāmā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 32
CANTO III. PSALMS OF THREE VERSES
XXIX. Another Sāmā, daughter of a clansman of Kosambī p127 [v 39-41]
PTS: Another Sāmā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 34
XXX. Uttamā, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Sāvatthī, disciple of Paṭācārā p128 [v 42-44]
PTS: Uttamā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 35
ATI: Uttama, Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
XXXI. Another Uttamā, daughter of a Kosalan brahmin p128 [v 45-47]
PTS: Another Uttamā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 36
XXXII. Dantikā, daughter of a brahmin chaplain to the King of Kosala, Sāvatthī p128 [v 48-50]
PTS: Dantikā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 37
ATI: Dantika and the Elephant
XXXIII. Ubbirī, daughter of a great burgess of Sāvatthī, consort of the King p128 [v 51-53]
PTS: Ubbirī, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 38
ATI: Ubbiri
XXXIV. Sukkā, daughter of a great burgess of Rājagaha, pupil of Dhammadinnā, distinguished as preacher p129 [v 54-56]
PTS: Sukkā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 40
XXXV. Selā, 'the Āḷavikan,' daughter of the King of Āḷavī p129 [v 57-59]
PTS: Selā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 42
XXXVI. Somā, daughter of a brahmin, chaplain to the King of Magadha (Bimbisāra) p129 [v 60-62]
PTS: Somā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 44
CANTO IV. PSALM OF FOUR VERSES
XXXVII. Bhaddā of the Kapilas, daughter of a brahmin of the Kosiyas, at Sāgala, wife of Pippali Kassapa (Mahā-Kassapa) of Mahātittha, foremost of those Sisters who could remember past lives (cf. Aṅg. Nik., i, 25), a distinguished preacher (Vin., iv. 290, 292.) p130 [v 63-66]
PTS: Bhaddā of the Kapilas, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 47
CANTO V. PSALMS OF FIVE VERSES
XXXVIII. An Anonymous Sister. Vaḍḍhesī, of family unknown, nurse to Great Pajāpatī, founder of the Sisters' Order, of Devadaha, pupil of Dhammadinnā p130 [v 67-71]
PTS: An Anonymous Sister, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 50
XXXIX. Vimalā, daughter of a courtezan of Vesālī, ex-courtezan p131 [v 72-76]
PTS: Vimalā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 52
ATI: Vimala, the Former Courtesan
XL. Sīhā, niece of General Sīha, of Vesālī p131 [v 77-81]
PTS: Sīhā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 53
XLI. Sundarī-Nandā, daughter of Great Pajāpatī of the Sākiyan Gotamas, half-sister to the Buddha, of Kapilavatthu p132 [v 82-86]
PTS: Sundarī-Nandā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 55
ATI: Nanda's Vision
XLII. Nanduttarā, daughter of a brahmin of Kammāssadamma, ex-Jain, pupil of the Great Moggallāna p132 [v 87-91]
PTS: Nanduttarā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 57
XLIII. Mittakālī, daughter of a brahmin of Kammāssadamma p132 [v 92-96]
PTS: Mittakālī, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 58
ATI: Mittakali
XLIV. Sakulā, or Pakulā, a brahmin matron of Sāvatthī, foremost of the Sisters who had the faculty of the 'Eye Celestial' (Aṅg. Nik, i. 25) p133 [v 97-101]
PTS: Sakulā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 60
XLV. Soṇā, 'Bahuputtikā,' daughter of a clansman of Sāvatthī, foremost of the Sisters who were eminent in strenuous will p133 [v 102-106]
PTS: Soṇā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 61
ATI: Sona, Mother of Ten
XLVI. Bhaddā 'Kuṇḍalakesā,' ex-Jain, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Rājagaha, wife of a brahmin thief, foremost of the Sisters who had swift intuition (Aṅg. Nik., i. 25) p134 [v 107-111]
PTS: Bhaddā 'Kuṇḍalakesā,' Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 63
XLVII. Paṭācārā, daughter of a seṭṭhī of Sāvatthī, wife of her father's servant, foremost of the Sisters who were proficient in the Vinaya (Aṅg. Nik., i. 25), an eminent teacher and leader p134 [v 112-116]
PTS: Paṭācārā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 68
ATI: Patacara
XLVIII. Thirty Sisters, disciples of Paṭācārā p135 [v 117-121]
PTS: Thirty Sisters, disciples of Paṭācārā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 73
ATI: Patacara's Thirty Students
XLIX. Candā, daughter of a poor brahmin p135 [v 122-126]
PTS: Candā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 75
ATI: Canda, the Beggar
CANTO VI. PSALMS OF SIX VERSES
L. Paṭācārā's 'Five Hundred' bereaved mothers whom she comforted and ordained p136 [v 127-132]
PTS: Paṭācārā's 'Five Hundred' Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 77
ATI: Patacara's 500 Students
LI. Vāsitthī, or Vāsetthī, daughter of a clansman of Vesālī, wife of a (?) brahmin, a teacher p136 [v 133-138]
PTS:Vāsitthī, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 79
ATI: Vasitthi the Madwoman
LII. Khemā, daughter of the King's family at Sāgala in Magadha, wife of King Bimbisāra, Rājagaha, foremost of the Sisters who were distinguished for insight (Aṅg. Nik., i. 25), ranked by the Buddha as a model Sister (Sany. Nik., i. 236) p137 [v 139-144]
PTS: Khemā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 81
ATI: Khemā, Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
LIII. Sujātā, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Sāketa, wife of a seṭṭhi p137 [v 145-150]
PTS: Sujātā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 84
LIV. Anopamā, daughter of the seṭṭhi Majjha of Sāketa p138 [v 151-156]
PTS: Anopamā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 86
ATI: Anopama, the Millionaire's Daughter
LV. Great Pajāpatī, the Gotamid, Foundress of the Order of Bhikkunīs, daughter of the Sākiyan Añjana (or Mahā-SuppaBuddha) of Devadaha, sister to Great Māyā, mother of the Buddha, and co-wife of Suddhohana of Kapilavatthu, foremost of the Sisters who were of long standing and experience p138 [v 157-162]
PTS: Great Pajāpatī, the Gotamid, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 87
LVI. Guttā, daughter of a brahmin of Sāvatthī p139 [v 163-168]
PTS: Guttā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 90
LVII. Vijayā, daughter of a clansman of Rājagaha p139 [v 169-174]
PTS: Vijayā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 91
ATI: Vijayā, Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
CANTO VII. PSALMS OF SEVEN VERSES
LVIII. Uttarā (2), daughter of a clansman of Sāvatthī, disciple of Paṭācārā p140 [v 175-181]
The declaration of Arahantship of Bhikkhuni Uttarā.
PTS: Uttarā (2) Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 94
LIX. Cālā, daughter of the brahminee Surūpasārī, of Nālaka, Magadha, sister of Sāriputta, chief of the Bhikkhus p141 [v 182-188]
PTS: Cālā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 96
LX. Upacālā, sister to Cālā p141 [v 189-195]
PTS: Upacālā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 98
CANTO VIII. PSALM OF EIGHT VERSES
LXI. Sīsupacālā, sister to Upacālā p142 [v 196-203]
PTS: Sīsupacālā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 100
CANTO IX. PSALM OF NINE VERSES
LXII. Vaḍḍha's Mother, daughter of a clansman of Bhārukaccha p142 [v 204-212]
PTS: Vaḍḍha's Mother, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 103
CANTO X. PSALM OF ELEVEN VERSES
LXIII. Kisā-Gotamī daughter of poor people of Sāvatthī, foremost of the Sisters who wore rough clothing p143 [v 213-223]
PTS: Kisā-Gotamī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 106
ATI: than
Kisa Gotami, The Woman with the Dead Child, Hellmuth Hecker/Sister Khema trans.
CANTO XI. PSALM OF TWELVE VERSES
LXIV. Uppalavaṇṇā, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Sāvatthī, foremost of the Sisters who had iddhi (Aṅg. Nik., i. 25), ranked with Khemā by the Buddha as pre-eminent in the Sisterhood (Saṅy. Nik., i. 236) p144 [v 224-235]
PTS: Uppalavaṇṇā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 111
CANTO XII. PSALM OF SIXTEEN VERSES
LXV. Puṇṇikā, or Puṇṇā, daughter of a slave in the household of Anāthapiṇḍika, seṭṭhi of Sāvatthī, and freed by him p146 [v 236-251]
PTS: Puṇṇā or Puṇṇikā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 116
ATI: Punnika and the Brahman Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
CANTO XIII. PSALMS OF ABOUT TWENTY VERSES
LXVI. Ambapālī, a foundling, ex-courtezan of Vesālī p147 [v 252-270]
PTS: Ambapālī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. 120
LXVII. Rohiṇī, daughter of a brahmin of Vesālī p150 [v 271-290]
PTS: Rohiṇī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 125
ATI: Rohini, Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
LXVIII. Cāpā, daughter of a head-trapper (jeṭṭhakamigaluddaka) of Vankahāra, wife of Upaka, ex-Ājīvaka (ascetic) p151 [v 291-311]
PTS: Cāpā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 129
LXIX. Sundarī, daughter of a brahmin, Sujāta, of Sāvatthī p153 [v 312-337]
PTS: Sundarī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 134
LXX. Subhā, 'the goldsmith's daughter,' of Rājagaha p156 [v 338-365]
PTS: Subhā, 'the goldsmith's daughter,' Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 142
ATI: Subhā, the Goldsmith's Daughter, Bhk. Thanissaro, trans.
CANTO XIV. PSALM OF ABOUT THIRTY VERSES
LXXI. Subhā, 'of Jīvaka's Mango-grove,' daughter of a brahmin of Rājagaha p158 [v 366-399]
PTS: Subhā, 'of Jīvaka's Mango-grove,' Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 148
ATI: Subhā and the Libertine
CANTO XV. PSALM OF OVER FORTY VERSES
LXXII. Isidāsī, daughter of a seṭṭhi of Ujjenī, ex-wife of a seṭṭhi of Sāketa (Patna) p162 [v 400-447]
PTS: Isidāsī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 156
LXXIII. Sumedhā, daughter of Koñca, King of Vāraṇavatī p167 [v 448-522]
PTS: Sumedhā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 164
PTS: Commentator's Envoi Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. p 178
VERSES ATTRIBUTED TO SISTERS IN THE BHIKKUNĪ-SAṆYUTTA OF THE SAṆYUTTA-NIKĀYA:
PTS: 1. Āḷavikā, Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (in Ps. xxxv. Selā, Princess of Āḷavī) 180
PTS: 2. Somā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (see Ps. xxxv.) 181
PTS: 3. Gotamī Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (= Kisā-Gotamī, Ps. lxii.) 182
PTS: 4. Vijayā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (a different Psalm from Vijayā's Ps. lvi. Cf. Khemā's opening lines, Ps. li.) 183
PTS: 5. Uppalavaṇṇā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (cf. fourth episode, Ps. lxiv.) 184
PTS: 6. Cālā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (cf. Upacālā's Psalm, lx.) 186
PTS: 7. Upacālā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (cf. Sīsupacālā's Psalm, lxi.) 187
PTS: 8. Sīsupacālā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. (cf. Cālā's Psalm, lix.) 188
PTS: 9. Selā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. 189
PTS: 10. Vajirā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans. 190
VERSES CONCERNING SUKKĀ IN THE YAKKHA-SAṆYUTTA OF THE SAṆYUTTA-NIKĀYA 191
PTS: Saṅyutta-Nikāya, Yakkha-Saṅyutta, on Sukkā Mrs. Rhys Davids, trans.
