Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, 
with her garland and her makeup on, 
and her feet so brightly rouged: 
the courtesan was wearing slippers. 

Taking off her slippers in front of me, 
her palms joined in greeting, 
smiling, she spoke to me 
so softly and so sweet: 

“You’re too young to go forth—
come, stay in my teaching! 
Enjoy human sensual pleasures, 
I’ll give you riches. 
I promise this is the truth—
I swear it by the Sacred Flame. 

And when we’ve grown old together, 
both of us leaning on staffs, 
we shall both go forth, 
and hold a perfect hand on both counts.” 

I saw the courtesan seducing me, 
her palms joined in greeting, 
adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, 
like a snare of death laid down. 

Then the realization 
came upon me—
the danger became clear 
and I grew firmly disillusioned. 

Then my mind was freed—
see the excellence of the Dhamma! 
I’ve attained the three knowledges, 
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.