Tha Ap 127Sammukhāthavika

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

125. Sammukhāthavika

Walt 1806 When Vipassi Buddha was born,

I interpreted the omens:

“A Buddha is born in the world;

he’ll make people reach nirvana.” Verse 1

Walt 1807 And when that one was being born,

the ten-thousand world-system quaked.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 2

Walt 1808 And when that one was being born,

there was a vast effulgence there .

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 3

Walt 1809 And when that one was being born,

all the rivers then stopped flowing.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 4

Walt 1810 And when that one was being born,

all the fires of hell stopped burning.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 5

Walt 1811 And when that one was being born,

all the flocks of birds stopped flying.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 6

Walt 1812 And when that one was being born,

the powerful winds stopped blowing.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 7

Walt 1813 And when that one was being born,

all the gemstones were glistening.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 8

Walt 1814 And when that one was being born,

his first seven steps were taken.

Now that Blessed One, the Teacher,

Eyeful One is preaching Dhamma . Verse 9

Walt 1815 And when the Sambuddha was born,

he surveyed all the directions.

and then he spoke majestic words;

that is the nature of Buddhas.” Verse 10

Walt 1816 After he made people feel moved,

and I had praised the World-Leader,

having worshipped the Sambuddha,

I departed facing the east. Verse 11

Walt 1817 In the ninety-one aeons since

I praised the Buddha in that way,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of praising him . Verse 12

Walt 1818 In the ninetieth aeon hence

the king Sammukhāthavika,

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 13

Walt 1819 In the eighty-ninth aeon hence,

the king Paṭhavidundubhi

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 14

Walt 1820 In the eighty-eighth aeon hence,

the king named Obhāsamata

was a wheel-turner with great strength

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 15

Walt 1821 In the eighty-seventh aeon,

the king Saritacchedana

was a wheel-turner with great strength

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 16

Walt 1822 In the eighty-sixth aeon hence,

the king Agginibbāpana

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 17

Walt 1823 In the eighty-fifth aeon hence,

the king Rājāvātasama

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 18

Walt 1824 In the eighty-fourth aeon hence,

the king Gatipacchedana

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 19

Walt 1825 In the eighty-third aeon hence,

the king Ratanappajjala

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 20

Walt 1826 In the eighty-second aeon,

the king Padavikkamaṇa

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 21

Walt 1827 In the eighty-first aeon hence,

the king Rājāvilokana

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 22

Walt 1828 In the eightieth aeon hence,

the king known as Hirisāra

was a wheel-turner with great strength,

possessor of the seven gems. Verse 23

Walt 1829 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 24

Thus indeed Venerable Sammukhāthavika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sammukhāthavika Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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