#1. Nuns

Māra asks the nun about who has created this being. Recognizing him, she points out that the word “being” is nothing more than a convention used to designate the aggregates, just as the word “cart” is used when the parts are assembledAt Sāvatthī. Then the nun Vajirā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from alms-round, she went to the Dark Forest, plunged deep into it, and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. [Read More]

Māra asks the nun Selā about who has created this “puppet”, i.e. the form that has been reincarnated. She replies that there is no creator, but it arises as a result of conditions, like the growing of a seed in a field.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Selā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Selā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps … addressed her in verse: “Who created this puppet? [Read More]

Māra asks the nun Sīsupacālā whose teaching she believes in. She replies that she rejects the various sectarians and follows the Buddha, as his teachings lead to freedom.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Sīsupacālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. Then Māra the Wicked went up to Sīsupacālā and said to her, “Nun, whose creed do you believe in?” “I don’t believe in anyone’s creed, sir. [Read More]

Māra asks the nun Upacālā where she wishes to be reborn. But as the world everywhere is burning, she rejects all forms of rebirth.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Upacālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. Then Māra the Wicked went up to Upacālā and said to her, “Nun, where do you want to be reborn?” “I don’t want to be reborn anywhere, sir. [Read More]

Māra asks the nun Cālā why she disapproves of rebith. She replies that it necessarily entails suffering.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Cālā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. Then Māra the Wicked went up to Cālā and said to her, “Nun, what don’t you approve of?” “I don’t approve of rebirth, sir.” “Why don’t you approve of rebirth? When you’re born, you get to enjoy sensual pleasures. [Read More]

Uppalavaṇṇā is rebuked by Māra, who says a beautiful woman like her should fear rogues when alone in the forest. However, she dismisses such fears, saying she can use her psychic powers to defeat thousands of rogues like him.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Uppalavaṇṇā robed up in the morning … and stood at the root of a sal tree in full flower. Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Uppalavaṇṇā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse: “You’ve come to this sal tree all crowned with flowers, and stand at its root all alone, O nun. [Read More]

Māra comes to the nun Vijayā in the form of a handsome youth and tries to tempt her from her path. But she rejects sensual pleasures, as she delights in subtle meditation and has ended ignorance.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Vijayā robed up in the morning … and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. Then Māra the Wicked, wanting to make the nun Vijayā feel fear, terror, and goosebumps, wanting to make her fall away from immersion, went up to her and addressed her in verse: “You’re so young and beautiful, and I’m a youth in my prime. [Read More]

Māra taunts the nun Kisāgotamī, alleging she is mourning sons and longing for a man. She rejects him, stating that she has no need for men, as she has destroyed the mass of darkness and conquered the army of Death.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Kisāgotamī robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. She wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on her return from alms-round, she went to the Dark Forest, plunged deep into it, and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. [Read More]

When meditating in the Dark Wood, the nun Somā is taunted by Māra, who claims that a mere woman can never see the subtle truth. She rejects him, stating that gender does not matter when one is perceiving deep truths, and telling Māra to go see those still attached to gender.At Sāvatthī. Then the nun Somā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. [Read More]

The nun Āḷavikā has entered the Dark Wood seeking seclusion when Māra comes to threaten her, claiming there is no escape and no point in seclusion. She recognizes him instantly and dismisses his taunts, asserting that she is beyond his control.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then the nun Āḷavikā robed up in the morning and, taking her bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. [Read More]