Tha Ap 220Akkantasaññaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

218. Akkantasaññaka

Walt 2355 In the past I, having taken

a crude cloak to my preceptor,

I am studying a mantra

to split arrows with an arrow. Verse 1

Walt 2356 I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,

Sacrificial Recipient,

the Chief, Superb, Bull among Men,

Tissa Buddha, Best Elephant. Verse 2

Walt 2357 That crude cloak was spread out by me

for the Best Man, who was walking,

the Lofty One, the Great Hero,

the World’s Best, the Bull of Men. Verse 3

Walt 2358 Having seen that Lamp of the World,

who was Flawless, the Moon-like One,

I then worshipped the Teacher’s feet,

with a mind which was very clear. Verse 4

Walt 2359 In the ninety-four aeons since

I gave that crude cloak to Buddha ,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

the fruit of giving a crude cloak. Verse 5

Walt 2360 In the thirty-seventh aeon

hence there was one lord of people,

known by the name of Sunanda,

a wheel-turning king with great strength. Verse 6

Walt 2361 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 7

Thus indeed Venerable Akkantasaññaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Akkantasaññaka 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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