Sin Yields Bitter Results
The Story of Nun Uppalavanna
Chapter 5: Fools • Verse 10
The Story of Nun Uppalavanna
Chapter 5: Fools • Verse 10
So long as an evil deed has not ripened, the fool thinks it as sweet as honey. But when the evil deed ripens, the fool comes to grief.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Nun Uppalavanna.
A rich man of Savatthi had a daughter so beautiful, tender, and sweet that she was called Uppalavanna, the blue lotus. Her fame spread far and wide, and princes, rich men, and many others sought her hand.
Her father, realizing he could never satisfy all the suitors, looked for a way out. Since she was in her last existence before attaining Nibbana, his words were like refined oil poured on her head, and she replied that she would become a nun. So he prepared rich gifts in her honour and brought her to the community of nuns, where she was admitted.
One day, when it was her turn to unlock and lock the hall, she lit the lamp and swept the floor, and her attention was drawn to the lamp's flame. Concentrating on the element of fire, she entered into a state of absorption and attained Arahatship.
Some time later she moved to the Dark Forest (Andhavana) to live in solitude. One day while she was out on her alms-round, her cousin Nanda, who had loved her before she became a nun, came to her dwelling and hid beneath her couch, intending to take her by force.
When she returned, she entered the hut, closed the door, and sat on the bed, unable to see in the darkness after the bright sunlight. Nanda crawled out and overpowered her, though she cried out to him not to ruin her, and then went his way.
As if unable to bear his wickedness, the earth split open and swallowed him, and he was reborn in the great Hell of Avici.
The nun told the other nuns what had happened; they told the monks, and the monks told the Buddha.
The Buddha told the monks that a fool, whether monk, nun, or lay disciple, commits evil with as much pleasure and delight as if eating honey or sugar.
He added that those who have rid themselves of the corruptions do not take pleasure in sensual desire. Just as a drop of water that falls on a lotus leaf does not cling to it but rolls off, so sensual desire does not cling to the heart of one who is free of the corruptions.
The Story of Nun Uppalavanna
Chapter 5: Fools • Verse 10
So long as an evil deed has not ripened, the fool thinks it as sweet as honey. But when the evil deed ripens, the fool comes to grief.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Nun Uppalavanna.
A rich man of Savatthi had a daughter so beautiful, tender, and sweet that she was called Uppalavanna, the blue lotus. Her fame spread far and wide, and princes, rich men, and many others sought her hand.
Her father, realizing he could never satisfy all the suitors, looked for a way out. Since she was in her last existence before attaining Nibbana, his words were like refined oil poured on her head, and she replied that she would become a nun. So he prepared rich gifts in her honour and brought her to the community of nuns, where she was admitted.
One day, when it was her turn to unlock and lock the hall, she lit the lamp and swept the floor, and her attention was drawn to the lamp's flame. Concentrating on the element of fire, she entered into a state of absorption and attained Arahatship.
Some time later she moved to the Dark Forest (Andhavana) to live in solitude. One day while she was out on her alms-round, her cousin Nanda, who had loved her before she became a nun, came to her dwelling and hid beneath her couch, intending to take her by force.
When she returned, she entered the hut, closed the door, and sat on the bed, unable to see in the darkness after the bright sunlight. Nanda crawled out and overpowered her, though she cried out to him not to ruin her, and then went his way.
As if unable to bear his wickedness, the earth split open and swallowed him, and he was reborn in the great Hell of Avici.
The nun told the other nuns what had happened; they told the monks, and the monks told the Buddha.
The Buddha told the monks that a fool, whether monk, nun, or lay disciple, commits evil with as much pleasure and delight as if eating honey or sugar.
He added that those who have rid themselves of the corruptions do not take pleasure in sensual desire. Just as a drop of water that falls on a lotus leaf does not cling to it but rolls off, so sensual desire does not cling to the heart of one who is free of the corruptions.