Therigatha
Poems of Early Buddhist Nuns
Read by Vishvantara and Jinananda
This collection of 73 poetic verses is a significant document in early Buddhism as well as the earliest known collection of women’s literature. The stories and poems stem from the sixth century BCE. The first narrator, Jinananda, sounds steady and instructive. With great intention in his tone, he explains the journey of these nuns. Vishvantara, the next voice, impersonates the nuns’ awakening moments. Her timbre is usually harmonious although her tone conveys assertiveness when necessary. Both narrators create the sense of a time shift with their pace and slight English accents. Overall, the narrations project a calming serenity. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2016]