"The Blue Lotus Nun: Courage, Tragedy, and Awakening: Lessons from Nun Uppalavaṇṇā’s Ordeal (Dhammapada 69)” Reflections by Bhante Dr. Chandima
1. Unwholesome Actions Deceive at First The example of Nanda shows that unwholesome states seem sweet and tempting like a poison, before one suffers the results. When Nanda did his deed, he did so out of desperation in his lust, tricking himself into thinking that his actions were fulfilling to him personally. However, Dhammapada 69 tells us that the unwise savours evil as honey and that it is His honeyed taste that leads to the bitter fruit. It is a moral restraint against unethical behaviour that, even if satisfying in the short run, will ultimately cause suffering. In whatever form it arrives—be it externally or internally—bad karma will always result in suffering, whether through consequence, shame, or guilt, but will eventually turn into suffering once its sweet glaze is stripped away. 2. Worldly Beauty Can Lead to Both Fame and Danger Uppalavaṇṇā’s rare beauty not only aroused much admiration but also unnecessary danger, after she opted for the life of a renunciant. The moral of ...