Ekuposathavagga

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Therāpadāna (2) · Buddhavaṁsa · Cariyāpiṭaka · Vol. 33 · Section 155

[155] At that time I was a wanderer in the city of Haṃsavatī; in quest of the wholesome (kusala), I went about from park to monastery. On a day of the dark fortnight I saw the supreme Bodhi tree; there, making my mind (citta) serene with confidence, I sat down at the foot of the Bodhi tree. Establishing a mind of reverence, raising my joined palms upon my head, giving expression to my joy (somanassa), at that very moment I thought thus: "If the Buddha is of measureless virtue, a person without equal, let him show me a miracle (pāṭihīra): let this Bodhi tree blaze with light!" The instant I adverted to it, straightway the Bodhi tree blazed up; it became all of gold, and it shone in every direction. For seven nights and days I sat there at the foot of the Bodhi tree; when the seventh day arrived, I performed an offering of lamps. Encircling the seat, five lamps blazed up; and my lamps kept burning then until the sun arose. By that deed (kamma) well done, and by my intention (cetanā) and resolve, on abandoning the human body I went to Tāvatiṃsa. There my well-made mansion was known as "Pañcadīpā" — sixty yojanas in height, thirty yojanas in breadth. Lamps beyond reckoning blazed in my retinue; as far as the deva-dwelling extended, it glowed with the light of lamps. Seated facing east, if I wished to see, I saw everything with my eye — above, below, and across. As far as I desired to behold deeds well done and ill done, no obstruction was there, whether among trees or mountains. I was chief queen of eighty deva-kings; I was chief queen of a hundred universal monarchs (cakkavatti). Into whatever womb I am reborn, whether divine or human, a hundred thousand lamps blaze in my retinue. Passing away from the deva world, I arose in my mother's womb; while I was in my mother's womb, my eye never closed. A hundred thousand lamps blazed in the lying-in chamber for me, endowed with meritorious deeds: this is the fruit of the five lamps. When my final existence arrived, I turned my mind away; I beheld Nibbāna, the cool state, free from aging and death. At seven years from birth I attained arahantship; the Buddha conferred on me the full ordination: this is the fruit of the five lamps. Whether I dwelt in a pavilion, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, a lamp burned for me always: this is the fruit of the five lamps. My divine eye (dibbacakkhu) is purified; I am skilled in concentration (samādhi); I have reached perfection (pāramī) in the superknowledges (abhiññā): this is the fruit of the five lamps. Having wholly reached consummation, my task done, free of taints (āsava), I, Pañcadīpā, O great hero, worship your feet, O One with Vision. A hundred thousand aeons (kappa) from now it was that I gave that gift (dāna); I know of no bad destination (duggati): this is the fruit of the five lamps. My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences (bhava) have been extirpated; like a she-elephant that has burst her bonds, I dwell free of taints. Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of the best of Buddhas! The three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been done. The four analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), and these eight liberations (vimokkha) as well, and the six superknowledges have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done. Thus indeed did the venerable bhikkhunī Pañcadīpadāyikā utter these verses. The Apadāna of the Therī Pañcadīpadāyikā is concluded. Sixth: The Apadāna of the Therī Naḷamālikā (16)

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.