Tha Ap 337Phussitakammiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

332. {335.} Phussitakammiya

Walt 2969 The Sambuddha named Vipassi,

the World’s Best, the Bull among Men,

dwelt in the monks’ hermitage then ,

together with the arahants. Verse 1

Walt 2970 Vipassi, Leader of the World,

went out from the hermitage door

with those devoid of defilements,

who numbered eight hundred thousand. Verse 2

Walt 2971 I was then dressed in a deer-hide,

and also wore clothes made of bark.

Carrying safflower water,

I came up to the Sambuddha. Verse 3

Walt 2972 Bringing pleasure to my own heart,

happy, my hands pressed together,

taking the safflower water,

I sprinkled it on the Buddha. Verse 4

Walt 2973 Due to that deed, the Sambuddha

known by the name Supreme Lotus,

after praising that deed of mine,

went according to his wishes. Verse 5

Walt 2974-2975 There were five thousand scented drops,

which I offered to the Victor.

Because of twenty-five hundred,

I ruled over the world of gods;

because of twenty-five hundred,

I was a wheel-turning monarch;

due to the remaining karma,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 6-7

Walt 2976 When I am a king of the gods,

and likewise when a lord of men,

that very name’s assigned to me:

my name is always “Phussita.” Verse 8

Walt 2977 Whether I have become a god,

or likewise whether I’m a man,

it’s as though drops are raining forth

a fathom in all directions. Verse 9

Walt 2978 My existence is opened up,

my defilements are all burnt up,

all the outflows are now destroyed:

that is the fruit of giving drops. Verse 10

Walt 2979 My rain smells like it’s sandalwood,

and it diffuses such fragrance.

My body odor’s also sweet ;

a small room is permeated. Verse 11

Walt 2980 A divine fragrance is diffused

to people who have good karma.

After smelling that scent they know,

“Phussita has come to this place.” Verse 12

Walt 2981 Branches, leaves, sticks, even grasses,

throughout the world it’s as though plants,

recognizing what I’m thinking,

in an instant produce fragrance. Verse 13

Walt 2982 In the hundred thousand aeons

since I did sandalwood- pūjā ,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of giving drops. Verse 14

Walt 2983 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 15

Thus indeed Venerable Phussitakammiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Phussitakammiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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