The Story of Theri Uppalavanna*

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (401) of this book, with reference to Theri Uppalavanna.

Once, some bhikkhus were talking about the arahat Theri Uppalavanna being molested by the young Nanda who was then swallowed up by the earth. In this connection, they asked the Buddha whether arahats do not enjoy sensual pleasures as they have the same physical make-up like any other people. To them the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus! Arahats do not enjoy sensual pleasures; they do not indulge in sensual pleasures, for they do not cling to objects of sense and to sensual pleasures, just as water does not cling to the lotus leaf or the mustard seed to the tip of an awl."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 401: Him I call a brahmana, who does not cling to sensual pleasures, just as water does not cling to a lotus leaf, or the mustard seed to the tip of an awl.

* This story is the continuation of the story given in Verse 69: The Story of Theri Uppalavanna.