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- Anguttara Nikaya IV.159
- Bhikkhuni Sutta
- The Nun
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion Ven. Ananda was staying in Kosambi, at Ghosita's Park. Then a certain nun
said to a certain man, "Go, my good man, to my lord Ananda and, on arrival, bowing
your head to his feet in my name, tell him, 'The nun named such-and-such, venerable sir,
is sick, in pain, severely ill. She bows her head to the feet of her lord Ananda and says,
"It would be good if my lord Ananda were to go to the nuns' quarters, to visit this
nun out of sympathy for her."'"
Responding, "Yes, my lady," the man then approached Ven. Ananda and, on
arrival, having bowed down, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Ven.
Ananda, "The nun named such-and-such, venerable sir, is sick, in pain, severely ill.
She bows her head to the feet of her lord Ananda and says, 'It would be good if my lord
Ananda were to go to the nuns' quarters, to visit this nun out of sympathy for her.'"
Ven. Ananda accepted with silence.
Then in the early morning, having put on his robes and, carrying his bowl and outer
robe, he went to the nuns' quarters. The nun saw Ven. Ananda coming from afar. On seeing
him, she lay down on a bed, having covered her head.
Then Ven. Ananda approached the nun and, on arrival, sat down on a prepared seat. As he
was sitting there, he said to the nun: "This body, sister, comes into being through
food. And yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.
"This body comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving
that craving is to be abandoned.
"This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit
that conceit is to be abandoned.
"This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to
be abandoned. The Buddha calls sexual intercourse a cutting off of the bridge.
"'This body, sister, comes into being through food. And yet it is by relying on
food that food is to be abandoned.' Thus it was said. And in reference to what was it
said? There is the case, sister, where a monk, considering it thoughtfully, takes food --
not playfully, nor for intoxication, nor for putting on bulk, nor for beautification --
but simply for the survival & continuance of this body, for ending its afflictions,
for the support of the holy life, [thinking,] 'Thus will I destroy old feelings [of
hunger] and not create new feelings [from overeating]. I will maintain myself, be
blameless, & live in comfort.' Then, at a later time, he abandons food, having relied
on food. 'This body, sister, comes into being through food. And yet it is by relying on
food that food is to be abandoned.' Thus it was said, and in reference to this was it
said.
"'This body comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving
that craving is to be abandoned.' Thus it was said. And in reference to what was it said?
There is the case, sister, where a monk hears, 'The monk named such-and-such, they say,
through the ending of the fermentations, has entered & remains in the
fermentation-free release of awareness & release of discernment, having known &
realized them for himself in the here & now.' The thought occurs to him, 'I hope that
I, too, will -- through the ending of the fermentations -- enter & remain in the
fermentation-free release of awareness & release of discernment, having known &
realized them for myself in the here & now.' Then, at a later time, he abandons
craving, having relied on craving. 'This body comes into being through craving. And yet it
is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.' Thus it was said. And in
reference to this was it said.
"'This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit
that conceit is to be abandoned.' Thus it was said. And in reference to what was it said?
There is the case, sister, where a monk hears, 'The monk named such-and-such, they say,
through the ending of the fermentations, has entered & remains in the
fermentation-free release of awareness & release of discernment, having known &
realized them for himself in the here & now.' The thought occurs to him, 'The monk
named such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the fermentations, has entered &
remains in the fermentation-free release of awareness & release of discernment, having
known & realized them for himself in the here & now. Then why not me?' Then, at a
later time, he abandons conceit, having relied on conceit. 'This body comes into being
through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.'
Thus it was said, and in reference to this was it said.
"This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to
be abandoned. The Buddha calls sexual intercourse a cutting off of the bridge."
Then the nun -- getting up from her bed, arranging her upper robe over one shoulder,
and bowing down with her head at Ven. Ananda's feet -- said, "A transgression has
overcome me, venerable sir, in that I was so foolish, so muddle-headed, and so unskilled
as to act in this way. May my lord Ananda please accept this confession of my
transgression as such, so that I may restrain myself in the future."
"Yes, sister, a transgression overcame you in that you were so foolish, so
muddle-headed, and so unskilled as to act in this way. But because you see your
transgression as such and make amends in accordance with the Dhamma, we accept your
confession. For it is a cause of growth in the Dhamma and discipline of the noble ones
when, seeing a transgression as such, one makes amends in accordance with the Dhamma and
exercises restraint in the future."
That is what Ven. Ananda said. Gratified, the nun delighted in Ven. Ananda's words.