Khujuttara evam Samavati tatha Uttaranandmata
Published as a part of the series by VRI on the 'Great Disciples of the Buddha', this book aims to motivate old students to continue their practice seriously as well as to inspire new students to walk the same path as the exemplary practitioners of Vipassana meditation.
This book contains stories of three great female disciples of the Buddha: Khujjuttara, the foremost in having extensive knowledge (bahussutanam), Samavati, the foremost in the practice of metta bhavana (compassionate love) and Uttaranananda, the foremost in meditation.
Samavati was queen of King Udena of Kosambi kingdom and Khujjuttara was a hunchbacked servant of the queen. Khujjuttara was in the habit of petty thefts and lying. One day after listening to the Buddha’s discourse, she started practicing Vipassana and attained Stream enterer, the first stage of liberation. Her behavior changed and she became instrumental in teaching Vipassana meditation to Queen Samavati and 500 other female servants of the queen.
Uttaranananda, an ardent devotee of the Buddha and his teachings, was married to one of the rich businessmen from Rajgriha, who was against the teachings of the Buddha. Uttaranananda, after herself getting established in Vipassana changed outlook of her husband with compassionate love.
This book is ideal for Vipassana meditators as well as non-meditators.