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The verses of the Therigatha also serve as a powerful curative to any mistaken notion that the Buddha's teachings are somehow only applicable to -- and effective for -- men. The outstanding heroism and nobility of these pioneering women has served for over two and one-half millennia as an inspiration for all those who have endeavored to practice the Buddha's teachings since -- whether monk, nun, layman, or laywoman. Arahantship is open to all who -- like these exemplary women -- are willing to put forth the effort.

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, these suttas were translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Chapter I

• 1. An Anonymous Bhikkhuni. Like a pot of pickled greens boiled dry.
• 3. Punna. Bursting the mass of darkness.
• 11. Mutta. Free at last from three crooked things!
• 17. Dhamma. Collapsing to the ground from weakness -- the Dhamma appears!

• 3. Sumangala's Mother. What bliss -- free at last from my shameless husband!

• 2. Uttama. Seven days of continuous meditation. On the eighth: Victory!
• 3. Dantika & the Elephant. Taming the mind: "Why I'd gone to the woods in the first place."
• 5. Ubbiri. A mother conquers her grief over her daughter's death.

• 2. Vimala, the Former Courtesan. A former prostitute joins the ranks of the arahants.
• 4. Nanda's Vision. Contemplating the foulness of the body, Nanda uproots all passions.
• 6. Mittakali. No time for heedlessness!
• 8. Sona, Mother of Ten. Sona conquers aging: "I spit on old age!"
• 10. Patacara. "And taking a pin, I pulled out the wick..."
• 11. Patacara's Thirty Students. Patacara's instructions lead all her students to arahantship.
• 12. Canda, the Beggar. A former beggar becomes an arahant.

• 1. Pañcasata Patacara. "As he came, so he has gone -- so what is there to lament?" A mother conquers her grief over her son's death.
• 2. Vasitthi, the Madwoman. A mother conquers her grief over her son's death.
• 5. Anopama, the Millionaire's Daughter. A wealthy heiress realizes the Dhamma, goes forth as a nun, and becomes an arahant.

• Punnika & the Brahmin. Punnika convinces a brahmin to abandon his purifying water-rites -- after all, if bathing were sacred, then frogs, turtles, and fish would all be pure!

• 1. Ambapali. A former courtesan -- now an arahant -- reveals how aging has eroded every trace of her youthful beauty. An exquisite portrait of the effects of aging.

• Subha & the Libertine. Subha, an arahant nun living alone in the forest, is hounded by a man who lusts after her. The "special gift" that she finally hands to him instantly brings about a change in his heart. A magnificent story.