[from XVIII. The Acquisition of the Great Wisdom Tree]

[Requesting the Nuns and the Bodhi Tree]
1-32 ≠ Mhv. 1-18

In order to bring the Great Bodhi Tree and the Elder Nun, the Lord of the World, remembering the statement spoken by the Elder, on a certain day in the Rainy Season, while sitting in his own city near the Elder, consulted his ministers and urged his nephew, the minister called Ariṭṭha, to undertake these deeds.

After considering it and inviting him, he uttered this statement: “Dear, after going into the presence of King Dhammāsoka will you be able Sakkhissasi is unclear, it suggests a verb sakkhati, which is not found in Pāḷi. In Mhv. there are many vvll, most of which connect it with sakkoti; being able. to bring the Elder Nun Saṅghamittā and the Great Bodhi Tree here?”

“I will be able, God-King, to bring these two from there if, after returning here, I am allowed to go forth, your Honour.”

“You may go, Dear, and after bringing the Elder Nun together with the Bodhi Tree and reaching Laṅkā, you can go-forth according to your wish.”

Having said that, the King sent his nephew, and he took the message of the Elder and the King and worshipped them.

Leaving on the second day of the bright fortnight in Assayuja Normally falling in October. he, being dedicated, boarded a ship in the port of Jambukola Probably on the northern coast of the Jaffna peninsular. and crossed the ocean, and through ExtMhv: Therādiṭṭhabalena pi; through strength unseen by the Elder, which doesn't make much sense. the power of the Elder’s determination, on the very day of departure it arrived at Pāṭaliputta.

Then Queen Anulā, with five hundred young women, and together with another five hundred women of the harem, having undertaken the ten precepts, pure in the yellow robes, It is interesting that she is portrayed as already wearing the yellow robe, even though she only has ten precepts, which are not even sāmaṇerī precepts. It is a strong echo of the first nun Mahāpajāpati, and her following, who also donned robes before they were ordained. looked forward to the going-forth and for the training rules that would come with the Elder Nun.

She made her dwelling in good conduct in the delightful Nunnery in a certain district of the town where the Lord of Men had had it made. The exact location cannot now be determined, except that it was within the city limits. As these lay-women lived in the Nunnery it became well-known throughout Laṅkā as the Lay-Womens’ Monastery. The proper name for a residence for nuns (bhikkhuṇī) is an Upassaya; but before they were ordained they lived there as lay women under ten precepts, so it became famous as the Lay-Womens’ Monastery.

His nephew Mahāriṭṭha, having reached King Dhammāsoka, spoke the King’s message and the Elder’s message: “Your son Mahinda, God-King, sent me into your presence. The Queen named Anulā, your friend the King Piyatissa’s brother’s wife, O Chief of Kings, desiring the going-forth, has undertaken the ten precepts, together with a thousand women, and lives constantly restrained. Please send the Elder Nun Saṅghamittā to give the going-forth, and together with her a branch from the south side of the Great Bodhi Tree.”

Then the minister went into the presence of the Elder Nun and said this: “Noble Sister, your brother Mahinda send me into your presence. Devānampiyatissa’s brother’s wife, the lay-woman called Queen Anulā, through having a desire for the going-forth, together with a thousand women, lives constantly restrained. Go together with me and please give them the going-forth.”

Hearing the minister’s word she very quickly went to her Father and the Elder Nun related the Elder’s thought: “My brother Mahinda has sent these into my presence, and after we have sent the people back, I will go. Very many people, daughters of good families, with Anulā at their head, desiring the going-forth, are looking forward to my journey.”

The King, who was flushed, Lit: white-throated. I cannot find this word or phrase used elsewhere, and the reading must be in doubt. hearing the Elder Nun’s statement, with a shower of tears set rolling, said this to the Elder Nun: “My son Mahinda, Dear, and my grandson Sumana having left us here, I am as though with my hands cut off. They both have gone to the Copper Dust Island, I no longer see them, and great grief has arisen.

Seeing their faces today your grief will be allayed. But not seeing you also, Dear, how will I put aside my grief in being parted from my son and grandson? Enough, Dear, if you were to go today, you also will not return.”

Hearing the statement of her Father the Elder Nun said this: “My brother’s word has importance for me, King, together with the request of the great Queen and the thousand women. Further, I suppose, this is not just my brother’s word and many are waiting for the going-forth, which I also desire to give, Great King, and so now I must go.”

“If you desire to go take a branch of the Supreme Bodhi Tree and go, Noble Sister. You must see your brother in Laṅkā.”

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last updated: August 2012