Tha Ap 403Tissametteyya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

– Metteyya Chapter, the Forty-First

398. {401.} Tissametteyya

Walt 3891 The ascetic named Sobhita

was living amidst the mountains,

near the top of a mountain slope,

eating only wild fruits he found . Verse 1

Walt 3892 After bringing some fire and wood,

I am causing it to blaze up,

seeking the ultimate goal of

being reborn in Brahma’s world. Verse 2

Walt 3893 Padumuttara, World-Knower,

Sacrificial Recipient,

with a desire to lift me up,

did come into my presence then . Verse 3

Padumuttara Buddha:

Walt 3894 “Why are you working, merit-filled

one? Give the fire and wood to me.

I will worship the fire and then

it will be purity for me.” Verse 4

Protagonist:

Walt 3895 “You are very fortunate, Sir,

you understand, O divine one.

You attend to the fire for me ;

here then is the fire and the wood.” Verse 5

Walt 3896 After that, taking the firewood,

the Victor caused the fire to blaze

without burning the firewood there:

a marvel wrought by the Great Sage. Verse 6

Padumuttara Buddha:

Walt 3897 “ This fire of yours is not burning;

your oblation does not exist;

this vow of yours is meaningless;

you should worship this fire of mine.” Verse 7

Protagonist:

Walt 3898 “What sort of fire, O Great Hero,

is that one that you speak about?

You should tell that to me as well;

we’ll both worship that fire of yours .” Verse 8

Padumuttara Buddha:

Walt 3899 “Cessation of things with causes,

the burning up of defilements,

and giving up anger and hate:

those three things are my oblations.” Verse 9

Protagonist:

Walt 3900 “What sort are you, O Great Hero?

What is your clan, O Happy One?

Your procedure for practicing

is extremely pleasing to me.” Verse 10

Padumuttara Buddha:

Walt 3901 “I’m born in a warrior clan,

master of special knowledges.

All defilements are exhausted;

now there will be no more rebirth.” Verse 11

Protagonist:

Walt 3902 “If you’re a Buddha, All-Knower,

Light-Maker, Darkness-Dispeller,

then I shall praise you, Divine One;

you are the Ender of Dis-ease.” Verse 12

Walt 3903 Spreading out my deer-leather robe,

I gave a place for him to sit.

“Please sit there, O Omniscient One;

and I shall then attend on you.” Verse 13

Walt 3904 The Blessed One did sit down there,

on that deer-leather, well spread out.

Inviting him , the Sambuddha,

I then went into the mountains. Verse 14

Walt 3905 Having filled up a shoulder-bag,

I brought some wild mangosteen fruit.

Having mixed it up with honey,

I gave that fruit to the Buddha. Verse 15

Walt 3906 While I meditated on him,

the Victor then consumed that fruit .

I brought pleasure to my heart there ,

gazing upon the World-Leader. Verse 16

Walt 3907 Padumuttara, World-Knower,

Sacrificial Recipient,

still sitting in my hermitage,

then spoke these verses about me : Verse 17

Padumuttara Buddha:

Walt 3908 “He who regaled me with this fruit ,

feeling well- pleased by his own hands,

I shall relate details of him;

all of you listen to my words: Verse 18

Walt 3909 Twenty-five times in the future,

he will exercise divine rule.

A thousand times he’ll be a king,

a king who turns the wheel of law . Verse 19

Walt 3910 For him, endowed with past karma,

discerning what he is thinking,

there will be food and drink and clothes

and beds which are very costly. Verse 20

Walt 3911 He will be reborn all the time

conforming with his good karma;

this one is going to be happy

and always free of affliction. Verse 21

Walt 3912 In whichever womb he’s reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

being happy in every place,

he will attain the human state. Verse 22

Walt 3913 A scholar and mantra-knower,

a master of the three Vedas,

having approached the Sambuddha,

he’s going to become an arahant.” Verse 23

Protagonist:

Walt 3914 As far as I recall my lives,

as long as I have had knowledge,

there is no lack of wealth for me:

that is the fruit of giving fruit. Verse 24

Walt 3915 Attaining the supreme Teaching,

I slew all my lust and hatred;

all defilements are exhausted;

now there will be no more rebirth. Verse 25

Walt 3916 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 26

Walt 3917 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 27

Walt 3918 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 28

Thus indeed Venerable Tissa-metteyya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Tissa-metteyya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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