Story of the Nun Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā

The Maiden Who Fell in Love with a Thief:  Considerations on the Story of the Nun Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā

Buddhist literature has given us many extraordinary figures who 

have proven to possess considerable, enduring appeal. Exceptional 

even by these high standards is Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā, as she is 

author, protagonist, or inspirer of some of the world’s earliest poetry 

by women, of a great epic dedicated to her and of popular songs and 

movies that are still played in the twenty-first century. The nun Bhaddā 

was a direct disciple of the Buddha and came to be known for her quick 

wit, the type of ordination she received, her prowess as debater, and the 

speed at which she gained awakening once taught by the Buddha.

The following passage contains all that is attributed 

to Bhaddā in the Verses:

With hair cut off, wearing dust, formerly I wandered, having 

only one robe, thinking there was fault where there was no 

fault and seeing no fault where there was fault. [107]

Going out from my daytime resting place on Mount Vulture 

Peak, I saw the stainless Buddha attended by the Order of 

Bhikkhus. [108]

Having bent my knee, having paid homage to him, putting 

my raised hands together, I stood face to face with him. “Come 

Bhaddā.” He said to me. That was my full ordination. [109]

I wandered over Aṅga and Magadha, Vajjī, Kāsī, and Kosala. 

For fifty years without debt, I have enjoyed the alms of the 

kingdoms. [110]

Truly he produced much merit. Truly wise was that lay 

follower who gave a robe to Bhaddā, who is now completely 

freed from all bonds. [111]10

To read the full text:
Story of the Nun Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā

The text has kindly been offered by Ven. Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā
Here is her letter:

Dear Venerable Visuddhi,
I am sending you an article recently published in our Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies that may be of interest to you and your student:
Alberto Todeschini, “The Maiden Who Fell in Love with a Thief: Considerations on the Story of the Nun Bhaddā Kuṇḍalakesā”, Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies / Fagu foxue xuebao, 13 (2013): 153-188.
With much mettā,
Bh. Dhammadinnā