Cariyāpiṭaka 14

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

The Chapter on an Elephant

The Perfection of Ethics (4th)

Cūḷabodhi’s Conduct

1 “Then again when I was

the very virtuous Cūḷabodhi,

seeing rebirth as fearful,

I renounced worldly life.

2 She who had been my partner,

a brahmin lady with golden skin,

unconcerned with the cycle of rebirths,

also renounced worldly life.

3 Without clinging, cutting off family,

unconcerned with family or group,

we walked from village to town

until we reached Varanasi.

4 There we lived alert,

mixing not with a family or group.

Quiet and undisturbed,

we both stayed in the royal park.

5 Visiting the park,

the king saw the brahmin lady.

He approached me and asked,

‘Is she your wife? Or whose is she?’

6 When he said this, to him

I said the following.

‘She is not my wife.

We share the same teaching and belief.’

7 Infatuated with her,

he had his men seize her.

Compelling her by force

he brought her to the royal compound.

8 She who became mine by touching a water-jar,

born together, one in beliefs,

when he dragged her away,

I felt so angry.

9 Together with the arising of anger,

I remembered my precepts and vows,

and right there controlled my anger,

I did not allow it to grow.

10 If anyone were to attack

that brahmin lady with a sharp knife,

not even for that would I violate my ethics,

because it was solely for awakening.

11 I did not dislike the brahmin lady,

nor did I lack the strength.

But because omniscience is precious to me,

that’s why I guarded my ethics.”