Tha Ap 329Nigguṇḍipupphiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

327. Nigguṇḍipupphiya

Walt 2863 When according to his lifespan,

a god falls from the world,

three sayings get emitted then,

in the rejoicing of the gods. Verse 1

Walt 2864 “From here, sir, go to a good state,

in the company of people.

Becoming human do obtain

great faith in the Excellent Truth. Verse 2

Walt 2865 Having established that, your faith,

in the well-known Excellent Truth,

well- fixed, born of those happy roots,

be steadfast as long as you live. Verse 3

Walt 2866 Doing good deeds with your body,

and doing much good with your speech;

doing good with your mind as well,

be free of hate and attachment. Verse 4

Walt 2867 Thus exalting the life you live ,

doing merit with much giving,

make other men also enter

the chaste life and Excellent Truth.” Verse 5

Walt 2868 When gods know that a god’s falling,

filled with this sort of compassion,

they rejoice about his rebirth :

“O god come back repeatedly.” Verse 6

Walt 2869 I was moved when at that time the

assembly of gods had gathered,

“Well now then to what womb should I

go when I have fallen from here?” Verse 7

Walt 2870-2871 Padumuttara’s follower,

known by the name of Sumana,

a monk with senses well- controlled,

realizing that I was moved

and desiring to lift me up,

did come into my presence then

and stirred me up instructing me

in the meaning and the Teaching. Verse 8-9

Walt 2872 The Twelfth Recitation Portion

Having listened to his words I

made my heart pleased in the Buddha.

Having saluted that hero

I then passed away on the spot. Verse 10

Walt 2873 I was reborn right then and there,

incited by those happy roots.

Even dwelling in mother’s womb,

I was my mother’s instructor. Verse 11

Walt 2874 Having fallen from that body

I was reborn in Thirty-Three.

Within that heaven , then, for me,

mental disturbance was not seen. Verse 12

Walt 2875 Fallen from Tāvatiṁsa too,

I came in to a mother’s womb.

Coming out from that womb I knew

the diff’rence between black and white. Verse 13

Walt 2876 Being only seven years old,

I entered the park-hermitage

of Gotama, the Blessed One,

the Śākyan Son, the Neutral One. Verse 14

Walt 2877 When the dispensation had spread

and the Teaching was popular,

I saw the Teacher’s own monks there,

doers of his dispensation. Verse 15

Walt 2878 The city there, named Śrāvasti

had a king known as Kosala.

By elephant-chariot he

came to the supreme Bodhi tree . Verse 16

Walt 2879 Having seen his elephant there ,

recalling my own past karma,

pressing both my hands together,

I also went to the event. Verse 17

Walt 2880-2881 Being only seven years old,

I went forth into homelessness.

He who looked after the Buddha

was the follower Ānanda,

perfectly behaved, resolute,

mindful and very learned too.

He took charge of the Brilliant One,

bringing pleasure to the king’s heart. Verse 18-19

Walt 2882 After having heard his Teaching,

I recalled my own past karma.

Standing in that very spot I

then attained my arahantship. Verse 20

Walt 2883 Putting a robe on one shoulder.

hands pressed together on my head,

saluting him , the Sambuddha,

I uttered this speech then and there : Verse 21

Walt 2884 “Gathering nigguṇḍi blossoms

I placed them on the lion-throne

of Padumuttara Buddha,

the Lord of Bipeds, the Teacher. Verse 22

Walt 2285 Through that deed, O Biped Lord,

O World’s Best, O Bull among Men,

I’ve achieved the un-shaking state

without victory or defeat. Verse 23

Walt 2886 In aeon twenty-five-thousand,

royal lords of men numbered in

crore-hundred-trillions and hundred-

trillion-hundred-trillions, eight each. Verse 24

Walt 2887 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 25

Thus indeed Venerable Nigguṇḍipupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nigguṇḍipupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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