Upacālā
Translation of BZA 222. First version published in Buddhist Studies
Review vol. 23-1 (2006).
Thus have I heard, once, the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī at the Jeta Grove in
the Anāthapiṇḍika Park.
At that time there was a nun called Upacālā staying in the Rājakārāma Vihāra. One
morning she took her robes and her begging bowl and entered Sāvatthī to beg for
food. Having finished the alms , she cleaned her bowl, washed her feet, gathered
her seat [for meditation]. She went to the Andhavana forest, sat uprightly under
a tree, and entered [jhāna] meditation.
At that time King Māra thought: “These days Gotama the renunciant is staying at
Sāvatthī at the Jeta Grove in the Anāthapiṇḍika Park. Here now is this nun
called Upacālā, who in the morning took her robes and her begging bowl and
entered Sāvatthī to beg for food. Having finished her meal, she washed her feet,
gathered her seat and went to the Andhavana forest. [Now] she is sitting
uprightly under a tree, having entered [jhāna] meditation. I shall go and
disturb her!” Having thought thus he changed into a young man, approached her
and said: “My lady! In which place do you want to be reincarnated?” The nun
answered: “I will not be reincarnated anywhere.” That time the young man said a
verse:
The Tāvatiṃsa and the Yama heaven // the Tusita, the Nimmānarati
And the heaven Paranimmitavasavattin // are realms of great happiness and
pleasure
You should vow to enjoy them // and you will be reborn there as desired
The nun Upacālā said a verse:
The Tāvatiṃsa and the Yama heaven // the Tusita, the Nimmānarati
And the heaven Paranimmitavasavattin // [those] in these places experience
pleasures [but]
As long as there is no emancipation from the view of self // they are [still]
bound by Māra
All worlds are moving, are in flux // these too will change and vanish
The common person can not // escape from Māra’s realm
All worlds are on fire // smoke streaming out from all of them
Away from the tremors // that place I enjoy
I have cut off all craving // the darkness of ignorance destroyed
Having reached complete cessation // [I] peacefully dwell in a state of
purity
Therefore understand // Bad One you are defeated
At that time King Māra thought: “This nun knows my mind well!” Depressed,
dispirited, and ashamed he returned to his palace.
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