6.
The Discourse on Nakulapitā
16.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Bhaggas at Suṃsumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, in the Deer Park.
Now at that time the householder Nakulapitā was sick, afflicted, severely ill.
Then the woman householder Nakulamātā said this to the householder Nakulapitā -
"Do not, householder, die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing. Now, householder, you might think thus - 'The woman householder Nakulamātā will not be able after my passing to support the children, to maintain the household life.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. I am skilled, householder, in spinning cotton and carding wool. I am able, householder, after your passing to support the children, to maintain the household life. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing.
"Now, householder, you might think thus - 'The woman householder Nakulamātā will go to another house after my passing.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. Both you, householder, know and I know that for sixteen years we have practised the holy life as householders. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing.
"Now, householder, you might think thus - 'The woman householder Nakulamātā will not wish to see the Blessed One after my passing, will not wish to see the community of monks.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. Indeed, householder, after your passing I will be even more desirous of seeing the Blessed One, even more desirous of seeing the community of monks. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing.
"Now, householder, you might think thus - 'The woman householder Nakulamātā will not be one who fulfils the moral precepts after my passing.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. As far as, householder, there are female lay disciples of that Blessed One, householders clad in white, who fulfil the moral precepts, I am one of them. But whoever has uncertainty or doubt about this - this Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Suṃsumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, in the Deer Park - let him approach that Blessed One and ask. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing.
"Now, householder, you might think thus - 'Nakulamātā the woman householder is not an obtainer of internal serenity of mind.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. As far as, householder, there are female disciples of that Blessed One, housewives clad in white, who are obtainers of internal serenity of mind, I am one of them. But whoever has uncertainty or doubt about this - this Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Suṃsumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, in the Deer Park - let him approach that Blessed One and ask. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing.
"Now, householder, you might think thus - 'Nakulamātā the woman householder has not attained a foothold in this Teaching and discipline, has not attained a firm footing, has not attained comfort, has not crossed over doubt, has not gone beyond uncertainty, has not attained self-confidence, not relying on others, she does not dwell in the Teacher's instruction.' But that, householder, should not be seen thus. As far as, householder, there are female disciples of that Blessed One, housewives clad in white, who in this Teaching and discipline have attained a foothold, have attained a firm footing, have attained comfort, have crossed over doubt, have gone beyond uncertainty, have attained self-confidence, not relying on others, dwell in the Teacher's instruction, I am one of them. But whoever has uncertainty or doubt about this - this Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Suṃsumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, in the Deer Park - let him approach that Blessed One and ask. Therefore, householder, do not die with longing. Painful, householder, is the death of one with longing; and blameworthy by the Blessed One is the death of one with longing."
Then, when the householder Nakulapitā was being exhorted by the woman householder Nakulamātā with this exhortation, that illness subsided on the spot. And the householder Nakulapitā recovered from that illness; and thus that illness of the householder Nakulapitā was abandoned. Then the householder Nakulapitā, having recovered from the illness, not long after recovering from the sickness, leaning on a staff, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To the householder Nakulapitā seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained for you, householder! You have Nakulamātā the woman householder who is compassionate, desiring your welfare, an exhorter, an instructor. As far as, householder, there are my female disciples, housewives clad in white, who are fulfillers of morality, Nakulamātā the woman householder is one of them. As far as, householder, there are my female disciples, housewives clad in white, who are obtainers of internal serenity of mind, Nakulamātā the woman householder is one of them. As far as, householder, there are my female disciples, housewives clad in white, who in this Teaching and discipline have attained a foothold, have attained a firm footing, have attained comfort, have crossed over doubt, have gone beyond uncertainty, have attained self-confidence, not relying on others, dwell in the Teacher's instruction, Nakulamātā the woman householder is one of them. It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained for you, householder! You have Nakulamātā the woman householder who is compassionate, desiring your welfare, an exhorter, an instructor." The sixth.