The Book of the Fives

An Unnamed Nun (2nd)

thig5.1:1 In the twenty-five years since I went forth, I have not found peace of mind, even as long as a finger-snap.

thig5.1:2 Failing to find peace of heart, festering with sensual desire, I cried with flailing arms as I entered a dwelling.

thig5.1:3 I approached a nun in whom I had faith. She taught me the Dhamma: the aggregates, sense fields, and elements.

thig5.1:4 When I heard her teaching, I retired to a discreet place. I know the stories of former peoples; my clairvoyance is purified;

thig5.1:5 I encompass the minds of others; my clairaudience is purified; I’ve realized the psychic powers, and attained the ending of defilements. I have realized the six kinds of direct knowledge, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fives

Vimalā, the Former Courtesan

thig5.2:1 Intoxicated by my appearance, my figure, my beauty, my fame, and owing to my youth, I looked down on others.

thig5.2:2 I adorned this body all pretty, lamented by fools, and stood at the brothel door, like a hunter setting a snare.

thig5.2:3 I stripped for them, revealing my many hidden treasures. Creating an intricate illusion, I laughed, teasing those men.

thig5.2:4 Today, having wandered for alms, my head shaven, wearing the outer robe, I sat at the root of a tree to meditate; I’ve gained freedom from thought.

thig5.2:5 All yokes are severed, both human and heavenly. Having wiped out all defilements, I have become cooled and quenched.

The Book of the Fives

Sīhā

thig5.3:1 Due to irrational application of mind, I was racked by desire for pleasures of the senses. I was restless in the past, lacking control over my mind.

thig5.3:2 Overcome by corruptions, pursuing perceptions of the beautiful, I gained no peace of mind. Under the sway of lustful thoughts,

thig5.3:3 thin, pale, and wan, for seven years I wandered, full of pain, finding no happiness by day or night.

thig5.3:4 Taking a rope I entered deep into the forest, thinking: “It’s better that I hang myself than I return to a lesser life.”

thig5.3:5 I made a strong noose and tied it to the branch of a tree. Casting it round my neck, my mind was freed.

The Book of the Fives

Sundarīnandā

thig5.4:1 “Nandā, see this bag of bones as diseased, filthy, and rotten. With mind unified and serene, meditate on the ugly aspects of the body:

thig5.4:2 as this is, so is that, as that is, so is this. A foul stink wafts from it, it is the fools’ delight.”

thig5.4:3 Reflecting in such a way, tireless all day and night, having broken through with my own wisdom, I saw.

thig5.4:4 Being diligent, rationally investigating, I truly saw this body both inside and out.

thig5.4:5 Then, growing disillusioned with the body, I became dispassionate within. Diligent, detached, I’m quenched and at peace.

The Book of the Fives

Nanduttarā

thig5.5:1 In ignorance I once worshiped the sacred flame, the moon, the sun, and false gods. Having gone to a river ford, I plunged into the water.

thig5.5:2 Undertaking many vows, I shaved half my head. Preparing a bed on the ground, I ate no food at night.

thig5.5:3 I loved my ornaments and decorations; and with baths and oil-massages, I pandered to this body, racked by desire for pleasures of the senses.

thig5.5:4 But then I gained faith, and went forth to homelessness. Truly seeing the body, desire for sensual pleasure is eradicated.

thig5.5:5 All bonds of heedlessness are cut off, wishes and aspirations too. Unyoked from all yokes, I’ve found peace of mind.

The Book of the Fives

Mittākāḷī

thig5.6:1 Having gone forth in faith from the lay life to homelessness, I wandered here and there, jealous of possessions and honors.

thig5.6:2 Neglecting the highest goal, I pursued the lowest. Under the sway of corruptions, I never knew the goal of the ascetic life.

thig5.6:3 I was struck with a sense of urgency as I was sitting in my hut: “I’m walking the wrong path, under the sway of craving.

thig5.6:4 My life is short, trampled by old age and sickness. Before this body breaks apart, there is no time for me to be careless.”

thig5.6:5 I examined in line with the truth the rise and fall of the aggregates. I stood up with mind liberated, having fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fives

Sakulā

thig5.7:1 While staying at home I heard the teaching from a monk. I saw the stainless Dhamma, extinguishment, the state that does not pass.

thig5.7:2 Leaving behind my son and my daughter, my riches and my grain, I had my hair cut off, and went forth to homelessness.

thig5.7:3 As a trainee nun, I developed the direct path. I gave up greed and hate, along with associated defilements.

thig5.7:4 When I was fully ordained as a nun, I reflected on my past deeds, and purified my clairvoyance, immaculate and fully developed.

thig5.7:5 Conditions are born of causes, crumbling; having seen them as other, I gave up all defilements, I’m cooled and quenched.

The Book of the Fives

Soṇā

thig5.8:1 I gave birth to ten sons in this form, this bag of bones. Then, when feeble and old, I approached a nun.

thig5.8:2 She taught me the Dhamma: the aggregates, sense fields, and elements. When I heard her teaching, I shaved off my hair and went forth.

thig5.8:3 When I was a trainee nun, my clairvoyance was clarified, and I knew the generations of old, the places they used to live.

thig5.8:4 I meditate on the signless, my mind unified and serene. I achieved the immediate liberation, quenched by not grasping.

thig5.8:5 The five aggregates are fully understood; they remain, but their root is cut. Curse you, wretched old age! now I await the Hereafter in peace.

The Book of the Fives

Bhaddā of the Curly Hair

thig5.9:1 My hair plucked out, covered in mud, I used to wander wearing just one robe. I saw fault where there was none, and was blind to the actual fault.

thig5.9:2 Leaving my day’s meditation on Vulture’s Peak Mountain, I saw the stainless Buddha at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha.

thig5.9:3 I bent my knee and bowed, and in his presence raised my cupped palms. “Come Bhaddā,” he said; that was my ordination.

thig5.9:4 “I’ve wandered among the Aṅgans and Magadhans, the Vajjis, Kāsis, and Kosalans. I have eaten the almsfood of the nations free of debt for fifty years.”

thig5.9:5 “O! He has made so much merit! That lay follower is so very wise. He gave a robe to Bhaddā, who is released from all ties.”

The Book of the Fives

Paṭācārā

thig5.10:1 Plowing the fields, sowing seeds in the ground, providing for partners and children, young men acquire wealth.

thig5.10:2 I am accomplished in ethics, and I do the Teacher’s bidding, being neither lazy nor restless— why then do I not achieve quenching?

thig5.10:3 Having washed my feet, I took note of the water, seeing the foot-washing water flowing from high ground to low.

thig5.10:4 My mind became serene, like a fine thoroughbred steed. Then, taking a lamp, I entered my dwelling, inspected the bed, and sat on my cot.

thig5.10:5 Then, grabbing the pin, I drew out the wick. The liberation of my heart was like the quenching of the lamp.

The Book of the Fives

Thirty Nuns

thig5.11:1 “Taking a pestle, young men pound grain. Providing for partners and children, young men acquire wealth.

thig5.11:2 Do the Buddha’s bidding, you won’t regret it. Having quickly washed your feet, sit in a discreet place to meditate. Devoted to serenity of heart, do the Buddha’s bidding.”

thig5.11:3 After hearing her words, the instructions of Paṭācārā, they washed their feet and retired to a discreet place. Devoted to serenity of heart, they did the Buddha’s bidding.

thig5.11:4 In the first watch of the night, they reflected on their past deeds. In the middle watch of the night, they purified their clairvoyance. In the last watch of the night, they shattered the mass of darkness.

thig5.11:5 They rose and paid homage at her feet: “We have done your bidding; we shall abide respecting you, as the angels revere God the Mighty, undefeated in battle. Masters of the three knowledges, <j>we are free of defilements.”

thig5.11:6 That is how thirty senior nuns declared their enlightenment in the presence of Paṭācārā.

The Book of the Fives

Candā

thig5.12:1 I used to be in a sorry state. As a childless widow, bereft of friends or relatives, I got neither food nor clothes.

thig5.12:2 I took a bowl and a staff and went begging from family to family. For seven years I wandered, burned by heat and cold.

thig5.12:3 Then I saw a nun receiving food and drink. Approaching her, I said: “Send me forth to homelessness.”

thig5.12:4 Out of sympathy for me, Paṭācārā gave me the going forth. Then, having advised me, she urged me on to the ultimate goal.

thig5.12:5 After hearing her words, I did her bidding. The lady’s advice was not in vain: master of the three knowledges, <j>I am free of defilements.