6.
The Book of the Sixes
1.
Verses of the Five Hundred Elder Nuns
That being who has come from somewhere, why do you weep saying 'my son'?
You would not grieve for him, for such is the nature of living beings.
Having come from somewhere surely, having stayed for a few days;
From here too he went to another, from there he goes to yet another.
As he came, so he went, what lamentation is there for that?"
She who, for me overcome with sorrow, dispelled my grief for my son.
I go to the Buddha, the Teaching, and the Community for refuge, the sage."
Thus about five hundred elder nuns, etc.
2.
Verses of the Elder Nun Vāseṭṭhī
Naked and with dishevelled hair, I wandered here and there.
I wandered for three years, afflicted by hunger and thirst.
The tamer of the untamed, the self-enlightened, safe from every quarter.
He taught me the Teaching, Gotama, out of compassion.
Engaging in the Teacher's word, I realized the safe state.
For the bases have been fully understood by me, from which is the origination of sorrows."
... The elder nun Vāseṭṭhī...
3.
Verses of the Elder Nun Khemā
With the five-part music, come, Khemā, let us delight."
I am troubled and ashamed, sensual craving has been uprooted.
What you call 'sensual delight', that is now discontent for me.
Know thus, Evil One, you are defeated, O Death.
Not knowing in conformity with the truth, fools imagined purity.
Freed from all suffering, carrying out the Teacher's instruction."
... The elder nun Khemā...
4.
Verses of the Elder Nun Sujātā
Covered with all ornaments, attended by a group of female slaves.
Having gone out from the house, I brought them to the park.
I entered the dwelling to see, the Añjana forest at Sāketa.
He taught me the Teaching, the one with vision, out of compassion.
Right there I experienced the stainless Teaching, the Deathless state.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching is not in vain."
... The elder nun Sujātā...
5.
Verses of the Elder Nun Anopamā
Accomplished in beauty and form, a daughter born from Majjha himself.
They sent a messenger to my father: 'Give me Anopamā.'
Eight times that I will give, unwrought gold and jewels too.
Having paid homage to his feet, I sat down to one side.
Seated on that seat, I experienced the third fruit.
Today is my seventh night, since when craving was dried up."
... The elder nun Anopamā...
6.
Verses of the Elder Nun Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī
Who released me from suffering, and many other people.
The eightfold path has been developed, cessation has been attained by me.
Not knowing according to truth, I wandered on, not finding.
The cycle of birth and wandering is eliminated, there is now no more rebirth."
Disciples in unity, this is the homage to the Buddhas.
He dispelled the mass of suffering for those afflicted by disease and death."
... The elder nun Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī...
7.
Verses of the Elder Nun Guttā
Cultivate that very thing, do not come under the control of the mind.
Through the round of many births they transmigrate, the fools.
Adherence to moral rules and austerities, and sceptical doubt as the fifth.
The lower fetters, you will not come here again.
Having cut off the mental fetters, you will make an end of suffering.
Without hunger in this very life, at peace, she will live."
... The elder nun Guttā...
8.
Verses of the Elder Nun Vijayā
Not having gained peace of mind, not having control over my mind.
She taught me the Teaching, and the elements and sense bases.
The factors of enlightenment and the eightfold path, for the attainment of the highest goal.
In the first watch of the night, I recollected past births.
In the last watch of the night, I shattered the mass of darkness.
On the seventh day I stretched out my feet, having shattered the mass of darkness."
... The elder nun Vijayā...
The Chapter of Sixes is concluded.