1. Alavika Sutta
Discourse Concerning the Bhikkhuni of Alavika,
Bhikkhuni Samyutta
Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

Discourse Concerning the Bhikkhuni of Alavika

       162. Thus have I heard

       At one time the Bhagava was residing at the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika in Savatthi. During that time on a certain morning a bhikkhuni of the town of Alavi having rearranged the robes on her person and carrying alms-bowl and great-robe, entered Savatthi for alms-food. After going round Savatthi for alms-food and having had her meal she left the place of alms-gathering and went to the Andhavana Forest for quiet seclusion. Then Mara the Wicked One, desiring to make Alavika bhikkhuni feel hair-raising dread and tenor and desiring to make her leave the place of quiet seclusion, went to where Alavika bhikkhuni was and spoke in verse to her.

"In the world there is no escape (form samsara)

What will you do with quiet seclusion? Enjoy delightful sense-pleasures (while you may), don't let yourself repent later!"

       Thereupon the bhikkhuni thought, "Who might be this that speaks to me in verse? Is he human or non-human?" and then it occurred to her: 'This is Mara the Wicked One who speaks in verse desiring to make me feel hair-raising dread and tenor and to make me leave the place of quiet seclusion." Then, Alavika bhikkhuni, knowing that it was Mara the Wicked One, replied to Mara the Wicked One in these verses

       "O Wicked One, Friend-of- the -Unmindful, in the world there is escape (from samsara), I have expenrienced it with Insight-Knowledge. That Nibbana you do not know.

       "Sense-pleasures are like sharp-edged weapon; khandha aggregates are just cut and hacked at by them. You ask me to enjoy sense pleasures (But) for me there is no enjoyment in them."

       Mara the Wicked One then realized. "This bhikkhuni of Alavi knows me," and feeling frustrated and miserable he vanished thence.

End of the Alavika Sutta,

the first in this vagga