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# Thag 7:1 · Sundara Samudda & the Courtesan
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/thag-7-1/
- Published: 2026-06-01T01:20:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T16:46:09.000Z
- Description: Theragāthā · Thag 7:1. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Elder Monks, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Theragāthā, Verse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library

Ornamented, finely clothed,

garlanded, adorned,

her feet stained red with lac,

she wore slippers:

a courtesan.

Stepping out of her slippers—

her hands raised before me,

palm-to-palm over her heart—

she softly, tenderly,

in measured words

spoke to me first:

“You are young, recluse.

Heed my message:

Partake of human sensuality.

I will give you luxury.

Truly I vow to you,

I will tend to you as to a fire.

When we are old,

both leaning on canes,

then we will both become recluses,

winning the benefits of both worlds.”

And seeing her before me—

a courtesan, ornamented, finely clothed,

hands palm-to-palm over her heart—

like a snare of death laid out,

apt attention arose in me,

the drawbacks appeared,

disenchantment stood

at an even keel:

With that, my heart was released.

See the Dhamma’s true rightness!

The three knowledges

have been attained;

the Buddha’s bidding,

done.

See also: [SN 1:20](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-1-20/)

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*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN/Thag/thag7%5F1.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*