Soma, the devout Bhikkhuni

By Premasara Epasinghe

The thought of meritorious acts that cross your mind in the trial moments of death, the Buddhists believe, help one to be born in the celestial worlds, or in comfort on earth.

The story of one of the Bhikkhunis, - Soma – during the Buddha's, time clearly shows that her meritorious deeds in previous birth helped her, to be born as a daughter of one of the chief advisors to King Bimbisara on religion. She was named Soma.

Bhikkhuni Soma, during the time of Buddha Sikhi, was born as the Queen of the Buddha's father, King Aruna. When Buddha Sikhi visited the palace, He was greeted and honoured by the King and the Queen, the ministers and the palace staff. King Aruna one day gave seven beautiful lotus flowers to the Queen. As she received the flowers, Buddha Sikhi arrived at the palace. The Queen offered the lotus flowers to the Buddha.

During the Buddha's time the Brahamins were regarded as a highly respected and learned class. Soma received her education from eminent Brahamins. Both as a Brahamin, she was very intelligent and surpassed the other Brahamins in knowledge.

During the reign of Bimbisara, King of Magadha, presented a Bamboo Grove to the Buddha for the use of Sangha. Most of the citizens in Magadha, accepted Buddhism as their faith. Soma and the beautiful angel-like Queen Khema flocked to listen to the Buddha's sermons. Soma was convinced of the greatness of Buddhism. She kept company with the Bhikkhunis and gathered more about Buddhist philosophy. When she saw the beautiful Queen Khema as a Bhikkhuni nun, she thought she should enter the Order of Bhikkhunis.

When she told her parents about her wish, they were very upset. However, she was determined to enter the Bhikkhuni order. The parents knew that once their daughter left their mansion, it would be a dull place for them to live in. At last the father informed King Bimbisara about her daughter's wish in the hope that the King would dissuade his daughter.

King Bimbisara advised his minister that his daughter was intelligent, and it would be a great service if she entered the order. After listening to the King the father granted her daughter permission to enter the order.

Before long, she was able to get rid of all defilements and became a fully liberated Bhikkhuni. She was so clever and intelligent that she became a teacher cum lecturer to Bhikkhunis.

As many of her peers meditated at the Andha Forest, Soma too entered the sanctuary to meditate.

One day, when she was meditating under a shady tree, Mara, the Devil of the sixth Heaven, and the personification of evil in Buddhist mythology, appeared in front of Bhikkhuni Soma, in the guise of a very handsome youth and addressed her thus:

“It is a fact that wise sages possess great intellect. But how could a frail woman who is intelligent to know whether rice is cooked and tender by pressing it with two fingers attain noble states.”

The wise Bhikkhuni recognising Mara said: “Mara, being a woman is no hindrance, if she could restrain her senses, to acquire supreme knowledge. Mara, I have defeated craving, destroyed delusion and attained wisdom. You have no power over me” (Samyutta Nikaya).

Mara disappeared from the presence of the devout Bhikkhuni Soma.