Chapter One

Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

with her garland and her makeup on,

and her feet so brightly rouged:

the courtesan was wearing slippers.

Taking off her slippers in front of me,

her palms joined in greeting,

smiling, she spoke to me

so softly and so sweet:

“You’re too young to go forth—

come, stay in my teaching!

Enjoy human sensual pleasures,

I’ll give you riches.

I promise this is the truth—

I swear it by the Sacred Flame.

And when we’ve grown old together,

both of us leaning on staffs,

we shall both go forth,

and hold a winning hand on both counts.”

I saw the courtesan seducing me,

her palms joined in greeting,

adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

set up like a snare of death.

Then the realization

came upon me—

the danger became clear

and I grew firmly disillusioned.

Then my mind was freed—

see the excellence of the Dhamma!

I’ve attained the three knowledges,

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.