Tha Ap 40Āyāgadāyaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

38. Āyāgadāyaka

Walt 1096 When the World’s Protector had died,

Sikhi Buddha , Best Debater,

I worshipped his superb stupa,

happy, and with a happy heart. Verse 1

Walt 1097 Having spoken with the workmen

I provided the capital;

I constructed an eating hall,

happy, and with a happy heart. Verse 2

Walt 1098 After that I lived among gods

for eight aeons without a break.

In the remaining aeons I

transmigrated in a mixture. Verse 3

Walt 1099 Poisons don’t enter my body,

enemies are not hurting me,

I do not sink down in water:

that’s the fruit of an eating hall. Verse 4

Walt 1100 A massive cloud rains heavy rain

whenever I may wish for it .

Even gods visit my dwelling;

that is the fruit of good karma. Verse 5

Walt 1101 Thirty times as wheel-turning kings,

possessors of the seven gems;

no one at all despises me:

that is the fruit of good karma. Verse 6

Walt 1102 In the thirty-one aeons since

I had that hall for eating made,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of an eating hall. Verse 7

Walt 1103 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 8

Thus indeed Venerable Āyāgadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Āyāgadāyaka 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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