Tha Ap 114Sumaṅgala

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

112. Sumaṅgala

Walt 1687 Atthadassi, the Best Victor,

the World’s Best One, the Bull of Men,

setting out from the monastery

came up to the lake near my home . Verse 1

Walt 1688 The Sambuddha bathed and drank there,

then he got out and in one robe

the Blessed One stood on that spot,

surveying all the directions. Verse 2

Walt 1689-1690 While dwelling in my residence,

I saw the Leader of the World

shining like the hundred-rayed sun ,

glittering like well-crafted gold

and happy, with a happy heart

I then snapped my fingers so to

conduct dances and also songs

and the five kinds of music there . Verse 3-4

Walt 1691 In whichever womb I’m reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

I surpass all other creatures

and my glory is abundant. Verse 5

Walt 1692 “Praise to you, O Well-Bred Person!

Praise to you, Ultimate Person!

Having made yourself happy, Sage,

now you are pleasing all others.” Verse 6

Walt 1693 Having accepted, sitting down,

the One With Good Vows caused laughter.

I having served the Sambuddha

was then reborn in Tusitā. Verse 7

Walt 1694 In the sixteenth aeon ago

eleven Ekacintitas

were wheel-turners with great power,

possessors of the seven gems. Verse 8

Walt 1695 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 9

Thus indeed Venerable Sumaṅgala Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sumaṅgala Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

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