PACIFIC WORLD - The Institute of Buddhist Studies

Hansen: The Nature of World 105“Hey Siddhattha endowed with moral behavior 92Why are you taking a woman as your witness?“Aren’t you One who has Established Progress?And you have a woman as such a very close friendthat you’re willing to depend on her as your witness,to set up a woman as your representative?!”At that moment, that very moment,the lovely celestial maiden Nåç Dhara√∆,hearing Mårå’s lewd mockery,to Mårå quickly directed her reply.“Hey Mårå, you worthless heap of shit!If you are going to speak don’t be vulgar.You yourself are calling on your army to witness;since when do demonesses comply with ancient law?“Yes, I am the Lord’s woman witnessand I support that he has cut passion away;as he gained bodhi-knowledge bit by bit,I knew of each action he made.“One time, filled to the brim with perfections,he sprinkled water on the earth and solemnly [vowed]once enlightened, to become a Teacherand the jeweled throne clearly arose [from that vow].“And you, have you not established somethingto which any dare testify?!”Having spoken thus, she untied her long tressesand taking them up [with her arms upright], handful by handful,wrung them out on Mårå’s horde.The power and force of Nåç Dhara√∆flowed out magnificently [from her hair],arising immense as an oceanengulfing entirely the army of Mårå.Pity the forces of Mårå drowning in the River Ganga;such suffering and misery is beyond compare.Some die by drowning, others’ bodies slashed apart by swordfish,some, contorted and dismembered by the force of the water,simply disappear.