Chapter 6 - Accounts of the twenty-for nuns (ma jo)

[Full title: Accounts of the twenty-for nuns. (ma jo nyi shu rtsa bzhi’i lo rgyus kyi skabs); Chandra 809; Chengdu 1063; Roerich (%) 911 (*920 jtg).—The story of the 24 nuns (ma jo), who had faith in dam pa, as related by the Bodhisattva kun dga’]

Sangs rgyas:

Her native place was chu bzangs of Śrī ri (near shel dkar rdzong). She was the beloved daughter of her parents, who possessed Sūtra books. In the company of eight or nine girls she visited dam pa. She practised meditation for nine years without returning to her native place, and a yogic insight was produced in her. Dam pa having perceived her death, said: "O kun dga’, today not far from you, a person, who had seen the Buddha, will pass away! Do you know this person?" kun dga’ replied: "Is this dam pa yourself?"

Dam pa said: "It isn't! But one who is like me". After a short while (en tsam na), the lady sangs rgyas passed away. After the cremation of her remains, the sky was filled with rainbows.

Gser btsun ma:

Her native place was zha ma pha drug. She asked her father’s advice, saying: "I shall be visiting dam pa." The father said: "The yogin and nuns belong to different sects. Don't go!" She went however, and asked dam pa for hidden precepts. Dam pa revealed her true name, and she mastered the precepts. She showed great diligence in meditation and used to say often: "The thief will be coming!" (i.e. Death is approaching). She lived for a hundred years. After her death, the sky was filled with rainbows. (On her cremation) many relics were left behind, including an image of Vajrasattva.

The lady klan chung:

Her native place was la stod stag sde. She obtained precepts from dam pa and kun dga’, practised them, and obtained spiritual realization. After the death of dam pa, she settled in glang ‘khor. She died at the age of 81. Numerous relics were left behind.

The lady 'bar-ma:

Her native place was Upper myang. She became the wife of dam pa cug and obtained precepts from dam pa. For three years she wandered like a deer in the mountains, practised meditation and a yogic insight (rtogs pa) was born in her. She passed away at tshes-spong of Upper myang, and numerous relics were left after her.

The lady ri ma:

She was a native of rtsang rong snar pa. She married, but separated, because her husband proved to be a wicked man. She accompanied some merchants and met dam pa. She obtained hidden precepts from him and practised them for seven years. A yogic insight was born in her. After her death, dam pa circumambulated her tomb many times, and all were surprized at this. Many relics were left behind.

The lady ye shes lcam:

Her native place was mang yul gung thang. She was an attendant (nye gnas ma) of a female siddha, named the lady rje mo, who died at the age of 101. She was expert in the worship of the Teacher, and had a special reverence towards dam pa. A yogic insight was born in her. She passed away at gung thang. (On her cremation) many sounds, lights and rainbows were observed.

The lady chos sgron:

She was a native of la stod ldog pa. She was the wife of Bodhisattva kun dga’. Once when kun dga’ stayed too long in the presence of dam pa, she grew angry, and having caught him by the hair, dragged him out. Kun dga’ however respected her, and did not reprove her, but only said: "Proceed slowly! Now aren't you pleased?" The woman suffered pains at the time of her death, because of the infringements of her vows. For this reason she is the most insignificant (ngan shos) among the 24 nuns.

The lady ma gces:

Her native place was la stod mang 'gar. She was taken as wife by kun dga’, and obtained precepts from both father and son (i.e. Dam pa and kun dga’). She practised meditation with diligence and obtained spiritual realization. She died in this Northern la stod. After her cremation, an image of Vajrasattva and many other relics were left behind.

The lady chos skyabs:

Her native place was khu le of Upper myang. Faith having been born in her, she proceeded towards glang 'khor. She renounced her considerable wealth, and for 12 years subsisted on water only (chu 'thun byed pa). She practised meditation and a yogic insight was born in her. At the time of her death, many relics were left behind.

The lady, chos skyid:

Her native place was ya 'brog khob le. She was married, and though she got children and gathered wealth, she used to say that she was going to embrace religion. Her brother the kalyāṇa-mitra gnyal ston said: "If you have decided to do nothing else, but follow religion, then go to dam pa sangs rgyas who resides at ding ri in la stod." She went to glang 'khor (near ding ri) and spent a long time there. She passed away two years after dam pa’s death. There were many relics left after her.

The lady sgur mo:

She was a native of chu bzangs of Śrī ri in la stod. She spent ten years at glang ‘khor and passed away at that place. There were many relics left after her (cremation).

The lady lha mo:

Her native place was stod lungs ri ma. Her family name was 'ber. Having abandoned her native place, she spent six years at glang ‘khor. After the death of dam pa, she returned to (her) native place, and stayed there for three years. Later she proceeded to ding ri, and spent a long time there. She died there, and on her death rainbows and lights were observed.

The lady myang mo:

She was a native of tsha rong of shab. Faith having been born in her, she met dam pa. After spending ten years at glang ‘khor she passed away. (On her cremation) an image of the two-faced Vārahī (zhal gnyis ma) was left behind, and many rainbows and lights were observed.

The lady dbang phyug lcam:

She was a native of stod lungs stong khung. She went to visit Nepal and met dam pa. After spending 11 years at glang ‘khor, she died. Her cremation was accompanied by many auspicious signs.

The lady rdo rje rgyan:

Her native place was ding ri gdong pa. She was of a very attractive appearance. She had faith in the teaching of dam pa and spent 15 years at glang 'khor. Later she destroyed her illusory visions ('khrul zhig tu song ba, this expression is applied to those siddhas who having attained a higher stage, appear to be mad to outsiders). At the time of her death, after completing all preparations for the cremation, all saw her led by a luminous body proceeding towards the summit of the northern mountains. This was said to have been prophesied by ḍākinīs. Next day, at dawn, they carried (the body) to the Northern Mountains, and the light preceded the body. All men saw during seven days the luminous shape vibrating without disappearing.

The lady nam mkha' gsal:

She was a native of 'ol kha in dbus. She was endowed with a clear understanding, and a fair complexion. She spent six years with dam pa, obtained instruction in the Doctrine, practised meditation, and obtained spiritual realization. After the death of dam pa, she lived for four years more, and (her) urine was transformed into honey. After that she journeyed to dbus, and passed away at byang at the age of 84. All her mortal remains changed into relics.

The lady sgro ne:

She was fond of pomp, was distinguished by liberality to the poor, and was surrounded by a numerous retinue. Because of her proud nature, dam pa used to rise (from his seat) whenever he acknowledged her salutation, and exclaim: "O!" (u lags). He used to honour her in this manner. She held dam pa in reverence and received his blessing. She then dismissed all her retinue and entered meditation. Later she became a devout.

The lady phan mo:

Her native place was ‘phan yul. She lived with one attendant at glang ‘khor (near ding ri), and both died at the same time. (At the time of her death) the valley was filled with medicated perfume (sman dri), and many auspicious signs were observed. All were filled with wonder.

The lady rje'u ma:

Her native place was ong po. She was an expert weaver, was obedient, and attended on dam pa. She spent many years at ding ri. She died, having spent many years at gung thang. Her body was carried to the mountains, and an image of Tārā was (afterwards) recovered on the place where the body had been left.

The lady ro zan ma:

Her native place was gung thang. She was the bride of rgya sgom ma. Dam pa spoke beforehand of her coming. A yogic insight (rtogs pa) was born in her, and she obtained spiritual realization. She overcame constructive thoughts. She passed away at gung thang. During her cremation smoke turned into light.

The lady sangs chung ma:

Her native place was sangs pa. When she was going to see a local fair, she met dam pa. Filled with reverence for dam pa she entered the gate of religion. She spent six years at glang ‘khor, and after the death of dam pa she settled at sangs. On the cremation of her body, many relics were recovered. The story of zha chung ma (ma gcig labs sgron ma) was related above.

Gzhon nu ma, a girl from ding ri gdong:

Her native place was mar ma of Upper dbu ru. Once she came to trade with her father, and met dam pa. She felt faith in his teaching, and was blessed by him. A yogic insight was born in her. She used to keep silent, pretending to be dumb. She practised meditation, but died soon afterwards. At the time of her death, dam pa said: "Tomorrow morning in this place of ours a siddha will pass away." They inquired "Will dam pa pass out?" dam pa replied: "Not I! There is a girl longing to go to Oḍḍiyāna." Next morning she died, without being ill.

The female alms-giver (nya ma) khyim pa mo:

She was known as the alms-giver rdor gsal of bong shod. She amassed children, husband and wealth, as well as faith, diligence, and reverence. She was compassionate and charitable. At the time of her death, the valley was filled with rainbows and lights. (Her mortal remains) were changed into relics, and all were filled with wonder.

The chapter about the 24 nuns (ma jo, lady).