Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c30.183

v2.c30.183

Unwilling to return home after what had happened, she joined the Order of the white-robed Nigaṇṭhas. As she wished to practise extreme austerities, they dragged out her hair with a palmyra comb. Her hair grew again in close curls, and so they called her Kuṇḍalakesā (“Curly-hair”). Dissatisfied with the teaching of the Nigaṇṭhas, she left them, and going to various teachers, became very proficient in discussion and eager for debate. She would enter a village and, making a heap of sand at the gate, set up the branch of a rose-apple saying, “Whoever wishes to enter into discussion with me, let him trample on this bough.” One day, Sāriputta, seeing the bough outside Sāvatthi, ordered some children to trample on it. Bhaddā then went to Jetavana accompanied by a large crowd whom she had invited to be present at the discussion. Sāriputta suggested that Bhaddā should first ask him questions; to all of these he replied until she fell silent. It was then his turn, and he asked “One—what is that?”¹ She, unable to answer, asked him to be her teacher. But Sāriputta sent her to the Buddha, who preached to her that it were better to know one single stanza bringing calm and peace than one thousand verses bringing no profit. At the end of this sermon, Bhaddā attained arahantship, and the Buddha himself ordained her.