Tha Ap 321Kandalīpupphiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

319. Kandalīpupphiya

Walt 2814 I was a farmer at that time

on the banks of River Indus.

Bound in service to another,

I looked not for that other’s rice. Verse 1

Walt 2815 Wandering along the Indus,

I saw Siddhattha, the Victor,

sitting down in meditation

like a lotus flower in bloom. Verse 2

Walt 2816 I having cut off all the stems

of seven plantain flowers then ,

did spread them out upon the head

of Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun. Verse 3

Walt 2817-2818 Attentive to the protocol,

back then after I had approached

the Golden-Colored Sambuddha,

Wise One, With Senses Well-Controlled,

-- Hard to Approach like a tusker,

a mātaṇga in three-fold rut—

having pressed my hands together

I worshipped Buddha , the Teacher. Verse 4-5

Walt 2819 In the ninety-four aeons since

I did pūjā with that flower,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 6

Walt 2820 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 7

Thus indeed Venerable Kandalīpupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Kandalīpupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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