Tha Ap 25Tīṇisaraṇāgamaniya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

23. Tīṇisaraṇāgamaniya

Walt 920 In the city, Candavatī,

I was waiting on my parents.

I constantly provided for

my blind mother and father there . Verse 1

Walt 921 Gone off alone and sitting down

this thought occurred to me back then:

“while providing for my parents

I cannot yet renounce the world. Verse 2

Walt 922 Being shrouded in dark blindness

I’m being scorched by the three fires.

Though in such straits, and now afraid,

there is no one who can guide me . Verse 3

Walt 923 The Buddha’s been born in the world;

the Victor’s dispensation shines.

The Self can now be moved beyond

by people who do good karma. Verse 4

Walt 924 Taking up the Three Refuges

I’ll henceforth guard them completely.

Through that karma which is done well

I will be released from ill-states.” Verse 5

Walt 925 The Buddha’s foremost follower

was the monk known as Nisabha.

After going up to that monk

I took the three-fold refuge then . Verse 6

Walt 926 In those days the normal lifespan

numbered one hundred thousand years.

For all that time I did protect

my taking refuge totally. Verse 7

Walt 927 When my last breath was taking place,

I remembered that refuge then .

Through that karma which was done well

I went on to Tāvatiṁsa. Verse 8

Walt 928 Departed, in the world of gods

well-placed due to my good karma,

in every region I was born

I received the eight good things there . Verse 9

Walt 929 Worshipped in every direction,

I developed piercing wisdom.

All the gods submitted to me .

I received food beyond measure. Verse 10

Walt 930 Everywhere, the color of gold,

I was beloved by everyone .

Remaining steadfast for my friends,

my glory had achieved great heights. Verse 11

Walt 931 Eighty times as the king of gods

I exercised divine rule then .

Anointed by celestial nymphs

I enjoyed much divine pleasure. Verse 12

Walt 932 Full five hundred times I ruled then

as a monarch who turns the wheel,

and I did have much local rule

innumerable by counting. Verse 13

Walt 933 When my last rebirth was attained,

well-placed due to my good karma,

I was born in a rich family

with a big house in Śrāvasti. Verse 14

Walt 934 Setting out from that great city

placed in front by other children

I approached a monastery

hoping to find sports and laughter. Verse 15

Walt 935 There I did see a Buddhist monk,

set free, and having no desires.

He explained the Teaching to me

and gave me the three refuges. Verse 16

Walt 936 After I heard the word “refuge,”

recalling my former refuge,

I sat down on a single seat

and then attained arahantship. Verse 17

Walt 937 Being only seven years old

I attained my arahantship.

Knowing virtue, the Eyeful One,

the Sambuddha ordained me then . Verse 18

Walt 938 Immeasurable aeons hence

I went for the three-fold refuge.

The fruit of that karma well done

is afterward shown to me here. Verse 19

Walt 939 Well-protected was my refuge

firmly established in my mind.

After enjoying all of that

I realized the steadfast state. Verse 20

Walt 940 Let those of you with ears to hear,

all of you, listen to my words.

I’m declaring as fact to you

that I have seen this state myself. Verse 21

Walt 941 “The Buddha’s been born in the world;

the Victor’s dispensation shines.

The drum of deathlessness now sounds,

removing the arrows of grief. Verse 22

Walt 942 In the unsurpassed merit-field

if you all now take ownership

with all the strength that you possess,

then you all will see nirvana. Verse 23

Walt 943 Taking up the three-fold refuge,

guarding the five moral precepts,

pleasing your heart in the Buddha

you’ll make an end to suffering. Verse 24

Walt 944 Acting with me as your model

guarding all the moral precepts

in a short time, then all you too

will attain your arahantship.” Verse 25

Walt 945 Thrice-knowing, with superpowers,

I’m skilled at the reading of minds.

A follower of yours, Wise One

worships the Teacher’s refuges. Verse 26

Walt 946 I went to Buddha for refuge

uncountable aeons ago.

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of taking refuge. Verse 27

Walt 947 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 28

Thus indeed Venerable Tīṇisaraṇāgamaniya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Tīṇisaraṇāgamaniya 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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