Tha Ap 413Bhaddāli

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

– Bhaddāli Chapter, the Forty-Second

408. {411.} Bhaddāli

Walt 4268 The Sambuddha named Sumedha,

Chief, Compassionate One, the Sage,

the World’s Chief, Seclusion-Lover,

came up to the Himalayas. Verse 1

Walt 4269 Plunged into the Himalayas,

Sumedha, Leader of the World,

the Ultimate Person, sat down,

getting into lotus posture. Verse 2

Walt 4270 Sumedha, Leader of the World,

his meditative state attained,

the Ultimate Person, Buddha,

sat there for seven nights and days. Verse 3

Walt 4271 Taking a carrying pole-load,

I too plunged into the forest.

There I saw him , the Sambuddha,

Flood-Crosser, the Undefiled One. Verse 4

Walt 4272 After having picked up a broom,

I then swept out the hermitage.

Fixing sticks in the four corners,

I made him a pavilion then. Verse 5

Walt 4273 Bringing flowers from a sal tree,

I then covered the pavilion.

Happy, with pleasure in my heart,

I worshipped him , the Thus-Gone-One. Verse 6

Walt 4274 The one whom they call “Sumedha,”

Very Wise and Intelligent,

seated in the monks’ Assembly,

spoke these verses about me then : Verse 7

Walt 4275 Knowing that Buddha would speak, the

gods all came together, thinking ,

“the Best Buddha, the Eyeful One,

will doubtlessly preach the Dhamma .” Verse 8

Walt 4276 The Sambuddha named Sumedha,

Sacrificial Recipient,

seated in the gods’ assembly,

spoke these verses about me then : Verse 9

Walt 4277 “Who for a week did bear for me

a sal -bloom-covered pavilion,

I shall relate details of him;

all of you listen to my words: Verse 10

Walt 4278 Born as a god or as a man,

he will be the color of gold.

Being one with abundant wealth,

he’ll feast on sensual pleasures. Verse 11

Walt 4279 Then sixty thousand elephants,

decked out in all the ornaments,

mātaṅgas with gold headdresses,

clothed in harnessing made of gold, Verse 12

Walt 4280 mounted by elephant-trainers

with lances and goads in hand,

will come to be owned by this man,

and attend him evening and morn.

Surrounded by those elephants,

this man will delight in the world . Verse 13

Walt 4281 Sixty thousand horses as well ,

decked out in all the ornaments,

thoroughbreds of good pedigree,

horses from Sindh, fast vehicles, Verse 14

Walt 4282 mounted by trainers of horses

carrying bows and one-edged swords,

will constantly wait on this man :

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 15

Walt 4283 Sixty thousand chariots too ,

decked out in all the ornaments,

covered in the skins of leopards

and likewise tigers, flags hoisted, Verse 16

Walt 4284 mounted by animal-trainers

wearing armor with bows in hand,

will constantly wait on this man :

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 17

Walt 4285 And sixty thousand villages,

completely full in all regards,

Walt 4286 rich in grain and abundant wealth,

altogether magnificent,

will appear for him all the time:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 18

Walt 4287 The four-part army: elephant,

horse, chariot and foot-soldier,

will constantly wait on this man :

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 19

Walt 4288 For eighteen hundred aeons he

will delight in the world of gods.

A thousand times he’ll be a king,

a king who turns the wheel of law . Verse 20

Walt 4289 During that time three hundred times

he will exercise divine rule,

and there will be much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 21

Walt 4290 After thirty thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 22

Walt 4291 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

knowing well all the defilements,

he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 23

Walt 4292 Thirty thousand aeons ago

I saw the Leader of the World.

In all the time from then to now,

I was seeking the deathless state. Verse 24

Walt 4293 The gain for me was well-received,

that I knew the dispensation.

The three knowledges are attained;

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 25

Walt 4294 Praise to you, O Well-Bred Person!

Praise to you, Ultimate Person!

After having praised your knowledge,

I’ve now attained the deathless state. Verse 26

Walt 4295 In whichever womb I’m reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

I am happy in every place,

the fruit of my praising knowledge. Verse 27

Walt 4296 This is the final time for me;

my last rebirth is proceeding.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 28

Walt 4297 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 29

Walt 4298 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 30

Walt 4299 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 31

Thus indeed Venerable Bhaddāli Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Bhaddāli Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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