Tha Ap 4Mahā-Moggallāna

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

2. Mahā-Moggallāna

Walt 374 Anomadassi, Blessed One,

the World’s Best One, the Bull of Men,

was living in the Himalayas,

Honored by the Gods’ Assembly. Verse 1

Walt 375 I was then a king of snake-gods,

known by the name of Varuṇa.

Taking on the form of Cupid

I was dwelling in the ocean. Verse 2

Walt 376 Being in a musical group,

I provided the percussion.

After serving the Sambuddha,

the divine nymphs then sang their songs . Verse 3

Walt 377 When the drums were being beaten

the gods then also beat on drums.

Upon hearing the sound of both,

the Buddha himself then listened. Verse 4

Walt 378 Having invited Sambuddha

that he come over to my house,

providing an appointed seat.

I announced that it was now time. Verse 5

Walt 379 With one thousand flawless arahants

following behind, that World-Chief,

shining light in all directions

did come over to my house then . Verse 6

Walt 380 I satisfied with food and drink

the Great Hero who had arrived,

the God of Gods, the Bull of Men

along with the monks’ Assembly. Verse 7

Walt 381 The Great Hero was delighted,

the Self-Existent, Top Human;

seated in the monks’ Assembly

he spoke these verses about me : Verse 8

Walt 382 “He who worshipped the assembly

and also the Buddha, World-Chief,

due to the pleasure in his heart,

will go into the world of gods. Verse 9

Walt 383 He will exercise divine rule

seventy-seven different times.

He will reside upon the earth,

and have eight hundred earthly reigns. Verse 10

Walt 384 And he’ll be a wheel-turning king

five and fifty different times.

All the time they will bring for him

uncountable amounts of wealth. Verse 11

Walt 385 Aeons beyond measure from now,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 12

Walt 386 After having come out of hell

he will go to a human state.

Known by the name of Kolita

he’ll be a kinsman of Brahma. Verse 13

Walt 387 He’ll afterwards go forth, renouncing,

incited by his wholesome roots.

He’ll be second chief-follower

of the Blessed One, Gotama. Verse 14

Walt 388 Resolved, with strenuous effort,

he’ll excel in superpowers.

Knowing well all the defilements

he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 15

Walt 389 Depending on some evil friends,

overpowered by lust and anger,

being cruel-minded I slew

my mother and my father too. Verse 16

Walt 390 In whichever womb I’m reborn

in hell or else among humans

since I possess that bad karma

I get murdered, head split open. Verse 17

Walt 391 This is the final time for me;

my last rebirth is proceeding.

And also here, like that, for me

a time for getting killed will be. Verse 18

Walt 392 Binding myself to solitude,

fond of samādhi -meditation,

knowing well all the defilements,

I am now living, undefiled. Verse 19

Walt 393 Excelling in superpowers

I shake with only my left thumb

this very earth which is so deep,

thick and difficult to destroy. Verse 20

Walt 394 I don’t feel the pride of “I am;”

no pride at all exists in me.

Even regarding novices

I act with reverence in my heart. Verse 21

Walt 395 I brought forward the karma done

in an aeon so long ago.

That I has now attained the earth;

I’ve reached the end of defilements. Verse 22

Walt 396 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint.

Walt 397 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!

Walt 398 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 23

Thus indeed Venerable Mahāmoggallāna Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Mahāmoggallāna 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.

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