The Verses of Arahant Nun Rohiṇī

Hear how Arahant Rohinī praised the Sangha to her father when she was still a lay woman. Read more verses of Arahant Nuns on SuttaFriends.org

Question! Why do you like monks? Can you write a poem about it? Share it in the comment section below.

271. [Father:] My dear daughter, you go to sleep praising monks. You wake up praising monks. You always praise the good qualities of monks. Do you also wish to be a nun?

272. You offer abundant food and drink to the monks. Rohiṇī, now I ask you; why do you like those monks so much?

273. These monks are inactive, they’re lazy, and they live only on what is given by others. They expect things from others and always desire good things. Why do you like these monks so much?

274. [Rohiṇī:] My dear father, only now, after a long time, you have questioned me about the monks. I will now tell you about their wisdom, virtue and effort.

275. They are truly active and not lazy. They are the doers of the best actions. They work to abandon desire and hatred. That is why I like the monks.

276. They shake off the three roots of evil. They are doers of pure actions. All their evil has been eliminated. That is why I like the monks.

277. Their bodily actions are pure, as are their verbal actions. Their mental actions are also pure. That is why I like the monks.

278. Like pearls, they are spotless and purified internally and externally. They are full of wholesome qualities. That is why I like the monks.

279. They have heard many teachings of the Buddha. They have also memorized them well. They are noble and live in accordance with the Dhamma. They teach the Dhamma and are able to explain the meanings profoundly. That is why I like the monks.

280. They have heard many teachings of the Buddha. They have also memorized them well. They are noble and live in accordance with the Dhamma. They are mindful and possess one-pointedness of the mind. That is why I like the monks.

281. They travel in search of faraway monasteries. They are mindful, speak moderately and are not conceited. They understand the end of suffering, Nibbāna. That is why I like the monks.

282. If they leave a village, they do not look back longingly at anything. Indeed they go without longing. That is why I like the monks.

283. They do not store their property in storerooms, or in a pot, or in a basket. They only seek food cooked by families. That is why I like the monks.

284. They do not accept gold, silver or money. They live satisfied with whatever necessities are available at the time. That is why I like the monks.

285. Coming from various families and places, they have become monks. Nevertheless, they are friendly to one another. That is why I like the monks.

286. [Father:] My dear daughter, truly you were born to our family for our benefit. You have confidence in the Buddha and the Dhamma, and have keen reverence for the community of monks.

287. You have indeed recognized the unsurpassed field of merit. When these monks accept our gifts, that offering will bring great benefit to us.

288. [Rohiṇī:] Dear father, if you are afraid of suffering, and if suffering is unpleasant for you, you should go for refuge to the Buddha, the one with an unshakable mind; to the Dhamma; and to the community of monks. Observe the precepts which will lead to your well-being.

289. [Father:] Yes, my dear daughter, I will go for refuge to the Buddha, the one with an unshakable mind; to the Dhamma, and to the community of monks. I will observe the precepts which will lead to my well-being.

290. Previously, I was called Brahmabandhu—the relative of Brāhmins—because I was born into the clan of Brāhmins. But now I am truly a Brāhmin. I attained the Triple Knowledge. I achieved Nibbāna. I have mastered the Dhamma. I entered the goodness. I am washed clean.

These verses were said by Arahant Nun Rohiṇī