SN 10.9 With the Nun Sukkā (1st)

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

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 sukkā bhikkhunī mahatiyā parisāya parivutā dhammaṁ deseti.

Now, at that time the nun Sukkā was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.

Atha kho sukkāya bhikkhuniyā abhippasanno yakkho rājagahe rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ upasaṅkamitvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:

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

“Kiṁ me katā rājagahe manussā,

“What’s up with these people in Rājagaha?

Madhupītāva seyare;

They sleep like they’ve been drinking mead!

Ye sukkaṁ na payirupāsanti,

They don’t attend on Sukkā

Desentiṁ amataṁ padaṁ.

as she’s teaching the state free of death.

Tañca pana appaṭivānīyaṁ,

But the wise—

Asecanakamojavaṁ;

it’s as if they drink it up,

Pivanti maññe sappaññā,

so irresistible, delectable, and nutritious,

Valāhakamiva panthagū”ti.

like travelers enjoying a cool cloud.”