Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs

Chapter of the Elevens

Verses of the Elder Kisāgotamī

“The sages praise virtuous friendship,

when they speak about the world.

By associating with virtuous friends,

even a fool may become wise.

One should associate with good people,

as that is how wisdom grows.

If one associates with good people,

one would be freed from all suffering.

One would have knowledge of suffering,

the origin and cessation of suffering,

the Eightfold Path,

and also the Four Noble Truths.

‘Being a woman is difficult,’

declared the trainer of those who can be trained.

Sharing the same husband is also suffering,

and for some even giving birth only once.

There are well-bred women who drink poisons,

and some who cut their husbands’ throat.

Having become murderers,

they all experience misfortune.

I was on my way to give birth,

when my husband died.

I gave birth on the street,

far from my own house.

My two children have died,

and on the roadside lies my dead husband: I am miserable!

Mother, father, and brother,

all burnt on one funeral pyre.”

“Poor you, without a family,

you have been through a lot of suffering,

shedding tears

for thousands of lives.”

“I lived in the middle of the cemetery,

right by my child’s half-eaten flesh.

With family destroyed, blamed by all,

a widow, I found the deathless.

The way has been developed by me—

the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the deathless.

I realized Nirvana;

I gazed in the mirror of the Dhamma.

I have removed the thorn;

I put down the burden as ought to be done.

The Elder Kisā Gotamī

thus spoke with mind liberated.”

… The Elder Kisā Gotamī

Chapter of the Elevens is finished.