Tha Ap 419Ucchaṅgapupphiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

414. {417.} Ucchaṅgapupphiya

Walt 4409 In the city, Bandhumatī,

I was a gardener back then.

Having filled my lap with flowers,

I went to the bazaar with them . Verse 1

Walt 4410 The Buddha in that period,

Honored by the monks’ Assembly,

the World-Leader, was going by,

through his enormous majesty. Verse 2

Walt 4411 Having seen the Lamp of the World,

Vipassi, Crosser of the World,

taking a flower from my lap,

I offered it to Best Buddha. Verse 3

Walt 4412 In the ninety-one aeons since

I offered a flower back then ,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 4

Walt 4413 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 5

Walt 4414 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 6

Walt 4415 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 7

Thus indeed Venerable Ucchaṅgapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ucchaṅgapupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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