Tha Ap 396Madhudāyaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

391. {394.} Madhudāyaka

Walt 3706 I had a well-made hermitage,

on the banks of River Indus.

There I am instructing students

in history and reading signs. Verse 1

Walt 3707 They lived on the Indus’ slopes,

desiring teachings, learned folks,

masters in Vedic sciences,

wanting to hear good instruction. Verse 2

Walt 3708 They were skilled in interpreting

omens as well as reading signs.

Searching for ultimate meaning,

they then dwelt within the forest. Verse 3

Walt 3709 The Sambuddha named Sumedha

arose in the world at that time.

Being filled with pity for us,

the Buddha, the Guide, approached us . Verse 4

Walt 3710 Fashioning a mat out of grass

for Sumedha, the World’s Leader,

the Great Hero who had approached,

I gave it to the World’s Best One. Verse 5

Walt 3711 Taking honey from the forest,

I gave it to the Best Buddha.

The Sambuddha, having consumed

it , spoke these words to us back then : Verse 6

Walt 3712 “He who gave this honey to me,

feeling well- pleased by his own hands,

I shall relate details of him;

all of you listen to my words: Verse 7

Walt 3713 Because of this honey-giving,

and because of the mat of grass,

for thirty thousand aeons he

will delight in the world of gods. Verse 8

Walt 3714 After thirty thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 9

Walt 3715 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

knowing well all the defilements,

he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 10

Walt 3716 Coming here from the world of gods,

when I approached my mother’s womb,

there then rained a rain of honey;

the earth was covered with honey. Verse 11

Walt 3717 When I was coming out from the

womb, as though very unhappily,

there again a rain of honey

is raining for me constantly. Verse 12

Walt 3718 Having departed from the house,

I went forth into homelessness.

I am receiving food and drink:

that’s the fruit of giving honey. Verse 13

Walt 3719 Whether born human or divine,

I succeed in all my wishes.

Just because of that honey-gift,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 14

Walt 3720 When the god is raining, I am always living

undefiled and happy, on grass four fingers high ,

or covered by a tree bursting forth in full bloom,

in an empty house, a pavilion, or tree root. Verse 15-16

Walt 3721 I’ve overcome all existence,

great or small or in the middle.

Today I’m free of defilements;

now there will be no more rebirth. Verse 17

Walt 3722 In the thirty thousand aeons

since I gave that gift at that time,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of giving honey. Verse 18

Walt 3723 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

All defilements are exhausted;

now there will be no more rebirth. Verse 19

Walt 3724 My being in Buddha’s presence

was a very good thing for me.

The three knowledges are attained;

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 20

Walt 3725 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 21

Thus indeed Venerable Madhudāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Madhudāyaka 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.

For more information, visit apadanatranslation.org