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- Samyutta Nikaya V.10
- Vajira Sutta
- Vajira
- Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi
- For free distribution only,
by arrangement with the Buddhist Publication Society
Setting at Savatthi. Then, in the morning, the bhikkhuni Vajira dressed and, taking
bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms. When she had walked for alms in Savatthi [135]
and had returned from her alms round, after her meal she went to the Blind Men's Grove for
the day's abiding. Having plunged into the Blind Men's Grove, she sat down at the foot of
a tree for the day's abiding.
Then Mara the Evil One, desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the
bhikkhuni Vajira, desiring to make her fall away from concentration, approached her and
addressed her in verse:
"By whom has this being been created?
Where is the maker of the being?
Where has the being arisen?
Where does the being cease?"
Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Vajira: "Now who is this that recited the verse
-- a human being or a non-human being?" Then it occurred to her: "This is Mara
the Evil One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror
in me, desiring to make me fall away from concentration."
Then the bhikkhuni Vajira, having understood, "This is Mara the Evil One,"
replied to him in verses:
"Why now do you assume 'a being'?
Mara, have you grasped a view?
This is a heap of sheer constructions:
Here no being is found.
Just as, with an assemblage of parts,
The word 'chariot' is used,
So, when the aggregates are present,
There's the convention 'a being.'
It's only suffering that comes to be,
Suffering that stands and falls away.
Nothing but suffering comes to be,
Nothing but suffering ceases."
Then Mara the Evil One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Vajira knows me," sad and
disappointed, disappeared right there.