THE STORY OF VENERABLE UPPALAWANNA MAHA
ARAHAT THERI
When the
Arahat Bhikkhuni Uppalawanna was raped by a kinsman of hers the monks began
wondering whether Arahats are susceptible to sensual pleasures. It was said, “To
be sure those that have rid themselves of the depravities gratify their
passions. Why should they not? For they are not Kolapa trees or ant-hills, but
are living creatures with bodies of moist flesh. Therefore they also like the
pleasures of love.”
The Story
of Arahat Uppalawanna Maha Theri
Just as the Buddha had appointed two chief
disciples in the order of monks, Venerable Maha Arahat Sariputta Thero and Venerable Maha Arahat Moggallana Thero, Buddha likewise named two women his foremost disciples in the
Bhikkhuni Sanga, the order of nuns. These two were the Bhikkhunis, Venerable Uppalawanna Maha Arhat
Theri and Venerable Maha Arahat Khema Theri the former excelling in psychic
power, the latter in wisdom (AN1, chap14).
The Story
of Arahat Uppalawanna Maha Theri
Dhammapada
Verse 401
“Like water
on a lotus leaf, or mustard seed on needle point,
Who so
clings not to sensual things, that one I call a Brahmin True.”
This
religious instruction was given by the Buddha while the Buddha was in residence
at Jetawana with reference to Arahat Bhikkhuni Uppalawanna. The story has been
related at length in the Commentary beginning with the words, ”As sweet as honey
thinks a fool an evil deed,” For it is there said:
When the
Arahat Bhikkhuni Uppalawanna was raped by a kinsman of hers the monks began
wondering whether Arahats are susceptible to sensual pleasures. It was said, “To
be sure those that have rid themselves of the depravities gratify their
passions. Why should they not? For they are not Kolapa trees or ant-hills, but
are living creatures with bodies of moist flesh. Therefore they also like the
pleasures of love.”
At that
moment the Buddha drew near and after hearing this the Buddha said,” No monks,
they that have rid themselves of the depravities neither like the pleasures of
love nor gratify their passions. For even as a drop of water which has fallen
upon a lotus-leaf does not cling thereto or remain thereon, but rolls over and
falls off, even as a grain of mustard- seed does not cling to the point of a
needle or remain thereon, but rolls over and falls off, precisely so two- fold
love clings not to the heart of one that has rid himself /herself of the depravities
or remain there.” And Buddha, joining the connection, preached the Dhamma with
the above stanza.
The Story
of Arahat Uppalawanna Maha Theri
Uppalawanna,
the other Chief disciple of the Buddha, was a very beautiful young Princess.
She was named after the “blue lotus” flower—Uppala - Vanna, Uppalawanna, because
of her beautiful complexion.
Uppalawanna was born in a wealthy family and when
she came of age, proposals for marriage came from all quarters. Many princes
were interested in marrying her and came to take her hand. But the parents
found it too difficult to decide on which one. The harassed father did not wish
to offend any suitor by a refusal. To the
father, ordination in the Noble Sangha was the only solution. They, with
the consent of Uthpalawanna, decided to ordain her as a nun. The daughter, true
to her destiny, agreed. She became the
highest Bikkuni amongst all who perform Miracles using the astral body.
Upon being
ordained, she was kept in charge of the convocation room where the nuns
assembled for the confession of lapses. She had to tend the lamps. She observed
that the light was sustained by the wick and the oil. Sometimes, the light goes
out by going short of either or by a gust of wind. So life was due to karmic
force. This kept her thinking till she became an Arahat. She remembered her
former past lives.
It was while
living alone in a forest, a young shepherd named Nanda, kinsman of hers, got
infatuated with her and committed a sexual offence as soon as she returned from
a round of alms. Coming from the noon day glare to the dark cave where her
abode was, she could not see hence, she was taken by surprise despite her
protests. He committed the dire deed and was immediately born in the hell (niraya)
when the earth yawned and swallowed the foolish young man. He was however, dead
before the yawning of the earth.
It was after
this incident the Blessed One prohibited the female disciples of the Noble
Sanga to live in isolation in the forest.
Not long
afterwards, the Buddha addressing the monks, declared Arahat
Uppalawanna Maha Theri, foremost for
psychic power who performs miracles using the astral body.
The Buddha has held up these two as
the models and examples for all the nuns to emulate, the standard against which
other nuns could evaluate themselves. (SN17:24)
