Buddham Dhammam

SOMĀSUTTA

SN 5.2

With Somā

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...

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KISĀGOTAMĪSUTTA

SN 5.3

With Kisāgotamī

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.

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VIJAYĀSUTTA

SN 5.4

With Vijayā

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.

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UPPALAVAṆṆĀSUTTA

SN 5.5

With Uppalavaṇṇā

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.

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CALĀSUTTA

SN 5.6

With Calā

Māra asks the nun Calā why she disapproves of rebirth. She replies that it necessarily entails suffering.

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UPACĀLĀSUTTA

SN 5.7

With Upacālā

Māra asks the nun Upacālā where she wishes to be reborn. But as the world everywhere is burning, she rejects all forms of rebirth.

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SĪSŪPACALĀSUTTA

SN 5.8

With Sīsūpacālā

Māra asks the nun Sīsūpacālā whose teaching she believes in. She replies that she rejects the various sectarians and follows the Buddha, as his teachings lead to freedom.

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SELĀSUTTA

SN 5.9

With Selā

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.

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VAJIRĀSUTTA

SN 5.10

With Vajirā

Māra asks the nun Vajirā 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...

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