The Story of Isidasi, a Buddhist Nun
In the city of Pataliputta, treasured on earth for its glorious flowers, there were two mendicant nuns of the Buddha's own Sakya clan. One was Isidasi, the other was Bodhi, both of them morally pure, skilled in meditation, wise,
and freed from painful vices.
They begged alms, ate their food, washed their bowls, and found a secret place to rest and share their stories.
"You're still beautiful, Isidasi. Your youth hasn't faded. What vision of evil drove you to renounce the world?"
In that secret place she told her tale to teach the truth of Buddha's way.
Isidasi said to Bodhi,
"Hear why I am a mendicant nun:
In the great city of Ujjeni my father was a merchant of high repute. I was his only daughter, deeply loved and pampered. A wealthy merchant sent noblemen from the city of Saketa to arrange a marriage, and my father gave me to be his son's wife. Day and night I humbled myself to honor my in-laws- my training made me bow my head down at their feet. When I saw my husband's sisters and brothers I cringed and crept away to free my seat for them.
I kept fresh-cooked food and drink and spiced pickles ready to serve their demands.
I woke early every morning to scrub my hands and feet before I crossed the threshold to beg my husband's blessing.
Like a slave girl, I too combs and scented oils and my mirror to groom him. I cooked his rice gruel, I washed his bowl, I waited on this husband like a mother dotting on her son. Though I was diligent and humble, meticulous and virtuous in serving him, my husband despised me.
He begged his parents, 'Give me your leave. I must go away. I will not stay in this house with Isidasi!' 'Don't speak this way, son! Isidasi! Is intelligent and wise, diligent, meticulous. Doesn't she please you, son!'
She does me no harm, but I will not stay with Isidasi. I detest her! Enough! Give me leave, I must go away!
My husband's parents heard his words and questioned me, 'How did you offend him? Confide what really happened.'
'I committed no offense or harm or ever answered his cruel words. I don't know what I did to make this husband hate me.' They took me back to my father's house.
'To keep our precious son we sacrifice this goddess.'
Then my father married me into another wealthy house. The second merchant took me for half the first bride price.
I lived in that house for barely a month, serving him like a slave until he sent me back.
Then my father snared an ascetic begging for alms; he said, 'Be my daughter's husband! Throw away your robe and pot!' He stayed for two weeks before he told my father, 'Give me my robe and pot and cup! I'll beg for alms again.'
My parents and my family beseeched him, 'What have we neglected? Quickly, name your every want!'
He answered, 'I only want enough to feed myself. I will not stay in this house with Isidasi!'
They dismissed him and he left.
I brooded in my solitude: 'I'll tell them I'm going to die unless I become a mendicant nun.'
And the great nun jinadatta came begging alms at my father's house-she was disciplined, wise, morally pure.
I rose when I saw her and gave her my seat, bowed at her feet and offered her a meal.
I served her fresh-cooked food and drink and spiced pickles.
When she had eaten, I said, 'Lady, I want to be a nun.' My father argued, 'My child, you may follow the Buddha's way by giving food and drink to holy men and brahmin priests.' I pleaded in tears, begging his blessing, 'I must destroy the evil I have done!'
When I was sixteen the son of this merchant noticed my maiden youth and took me. He had another wife who was moral and virtuous, in love with her husband. I sowed discord with her.
The fruit of seven former lives made three husbands scorn me, though I served them like a slave- I have ended all this now.
Diambil dari:
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/tpsocialsciences/ap_wld_history/foundations/isidisai.htm