26.18 The Story about the Elder Uppalavaṇṇā
Uppalavaṇṇattherīvatthu

Dhp 401

Burlingame: Are Not the Arahats Creatures of Flesh and Blood?

Compare: Dhp-a 5.10

After the rape of Elder Uppalavaṇṇā the bhikkhus were discussing whether those who had become an Arahat still enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh; when this was reported to the Buddha he said it was not so, and – affirming her purity of mind – he spoke a verse explaining the situation.

Keywords: Bhikkhunīs, Passion

**

“Like water on the lotus leaf,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to the bhikkhunī Uppalavaṇṇā. {4.166} The story has been related at length in the commentary on the verse beginning with the words: “The fool thinks it sweet.” AJ: Dhp 69, Dhp-a 5.10.

For it is there said: Some time later, the throng in the Dhamma Hall began the following discussion: “To be sure those that have rid themselves of the pollutants gratify their passions. Why should they not? For they are not hollow trees or ant-hills, but are living creatures with bodies of moist flesh. Therefore they also like the pleasures of sense.”

At that moment the Teacher drew near. “Bhikkhus,” he enquired, “what is the subject that engages your attention now as you sit here all gathered together?” – “Such and such,” was the reply.

The Teacher said: “No, [30.291] bhikkhus, they that have rid themselves of the pollutants neither like the pleasures of sense 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 an awl or remain thereon, but rolls over and falls off, {4.167} precisely so the twofold sensual desire clings not to the heart of one that has rid himself of the pollutants or remain there.” And joining the connection, he taught the Dhamma, pronouncing the following verse:

401. Vāri pokkharapatte va, āragge-r-iva sāsapo,
yo na lippati kāmesu, tam-ahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Like water on the lotus leaf,
like a mustard seed on needle,
he who is unsmeared by desires,
that one I say is a Brahmin.

At the end of the teaching many reached the fruition of Stream-entry and so on.

 

last updated: August 2024