Tha Ap 391Soṇakoṭivīsa

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

386. {389.} Soṇakoṭivīsa

Walt 3326 When Vipassi’s dispensation

arose , I made a single cave

in Bandhumā, royal city,

for the monks in four directions. Verse 1

Walt 3327 Covering the floor of the cave

with rugs, I dedicated it .

Happy, with rapture in my heart,

I then made this aspiration: Verse 2

Walt 3328 “Were I to please a Sambuddha

and to get to renounce the world ,

I should attain ultimate peace

and the unexcelled nirvana.” Verse 3

Walt 3329 Just because of those good roots,

transmigrating ninety aeons,

born as a god or else a man,

I shined, a doer of merit. Verse 4

Walt 3330 As the remainder of that deed,

here in this final existence,

I was born as the only son

of Campa’s foremost millionaire. Verse 5

Walt 3331 Having heard that I had been born,

this was the wish of my father:

“I am giving to this young boy

an entire two hundred million.” Verse 6

Walt 3332 Hair four fingers wide was produced

on the soles of both of my feet.

It was fine and soft to the touch,

beautiful, just like cotton wool. Verse 7

Walt 3333 In the past for ninety aeons,

and this aeon one more than that,

I’ve not come to know my feet placed

on any ground that lacks a rug. Verse 8

Walt 3334 The Sambuddha was pleased by me;

I went forth into homelessness.

I have attained arahantship;

cooled off, I am in nirvana. Verse 9

Walt 3335 Appointed by the All-Seer

“foremost among resolute monks, ”

I’m undefiled, an arahant,

six knowledge-holder, powerful. Verse 10

Walt 3336 In the ninety-one aeons since

I gave the Buddha that gift then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of giving a cave. Verse 11

Walt 3337 Being in Best Buddha’s presence

was a very good thing for me.

The three knowledges are attained;

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 12

Walt 3338 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 13

Walt 3339 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 14

Walt 3340 Soṇa Koṭivisa Thera

in front of the monks’ Assembly,

being asked questions then answered

on the great Lake Anotatta.

Thus indeed Venerable Soṇakoṭivīsa Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Soṇakoṭivīsa Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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