Discover SN SN 1–11 SN 10SN 10.11

The yakkha challenges the nun C in verse; she responds with teaching on ethical conduct and insight, subduing the spirit through the power of the Dhamma.

SN 10.11 With the Nun Cīrā

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

Tena kho pana samayena aññataro upāsako cīrāya bhikkhuniyā cīvaraṁ adāsi. Atha kho cīrāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Puññaṁ vata pasavi bahuṁ,
Sappañño vatāyaṁ upāsako;
Yo cīrāya adāsi cīvaraṁ,
Sabbayogehi vippamuttiyā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Tena kho pana samayena aññataro upāsako cīrāya bhikkhuniyā cīvaraṁ adāsi.

Now at that time a certain lay follower gave a robe to the nun Cīrā.

Atha kho cīrāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Then a native spirit was so devoted to Cīrā that he went from street to street and from square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses:

“Puññaṁ vata pasavi bahuṁ,

“O! He has made so much merit!

Sappañño vatāyaṁ upāsako;

That lay-follower is so very wise.

Yo cīrāya adāsi cīvaraṁ,

He gave a robe to Cīrā,

Sabbayogehi vippamuttiyā”ti.

who is released from all yokes.”