Paṭacārā was an Indian woman who lived during the 6th century BCE in what is now Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Her story is long and tragic: a child of a rich family, she ran away to be with her ‘lower caste’ love, but then the young woman was struck with deep misfortune. First, the death of her lover, then her children, and finally the death of her parents. This incomprehensible loss made her go insane with grief. She wandered the streets, naked, starving, dirty and ranting. People tormented her by throwing stones and ridiculing her.
When she encountered the Buddha and told him her story, he clothed, fed, and educated her. She immediately understood the concept of impermanence, which helped her cope with her grief. She continued to follow Buddha’s teachings, eventually becoming a sotapanna, the first stage of arayahood, reserved for those who have attained “the fruits of the path”. Buddha eventually appointed her the foremost keeper of the Vinaya, “The Rules of Conduct”, amongst the nuns.
May she be an inspiration to women and men on the path to awakening.
Size: 17″ tall
Material: Lava stone sand from the sacred volcano Gunung Agung on Bali, bonded with concrete
Patina: The color is a water based eco paint suitable for outside. The finish will change slowly over time with exposure to rain and sun.
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