Tha Ap 30Uttiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

28. Uttiya

Walt 983 On Candabhāgā River’s bank

I was a crocodile back then.

Being engaged in getting food

I went up to the river bank. Verse 1

Walt 984 At that time the Self-Become One,

Siddhattha, the Best among Men,

approached a ford on that river

wishing to cross the river there . Verse 2

Walt 985 When the Sambuddha had arrived

I also approached that same place.

Having approached I then uttered

these kind words to the Sambuddha: Verse 3

Walt 986 “Climb aboard me , O Great Hero,

I’ll take you across the river.

This is the sphere of my fathers;

please have pity, O Sage So Great.” Verse 4

Walt 987 Having heard me growling loudly

the Great Sage then climbed up on me .

Smiling with a heart of laughter

I ferried the World-Chief across. Verse 5

Walt 988 Then that World-Chief named Siddhattha

gone to the other river bank

gave consolation to me there:

“you will achieve the deathless state .” Verse 6

Walt 989 After falling from that body

I went on to the world of gods.

Surrounded by celestial nymphs

I enjoyed much divine pleasure. Verse 7

Walt 990 Seven times as the king of gods

I exercised divine rule there .

Three times as a wheel-turning king

I was the lord of the whole earth. Verse 8

Walt 991 Binding myself to solitude,

I am clever and self-controlled.

I’m now bearing my last body,

in the Sambuddha’s great teaching. Verse 9

Walt 992 In the ninety-four aeons since

I thus ferried the Bull of Men

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;

that is the fruit of ferrying.

Walt 993 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 10

Thus indeed Venerable Uttiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Uttiya 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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