Tha Ap 423Sakiṁsammajjaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

– Sakiṁsammajjaka Chapter, the Forty-Third

418. {421.} Sakiṁsammajjaka

Walt 4462 Having seen the chief of all trees,

the trumpet-flower Bodhi tree

of Vipassi, the Blessed One,

I brought pleasure to my heart there. Verse 1

Walt 4463 Having taken a broom with me,

I always swept that Bodhi tree.

After sweeping that Bodhi tree,

I worshipped the trumpet-flower. Verse 2

Walt 4464 Bringing pleasure to my heart there,

hands pressed together on my head,

praising that Bodhi tree I then,

crouched over, departed from there . Verse 3

Walt 4465 Going along a walking path,

remembering the supreme tree,

at that time a python crushed me,

of frightful form, extremely strong. Verse 4

Walt 4466 Due to the fruit of my karma,

being near death I was happy.

The python swallowed my body;

I delighted in the gods’ world. Verse 5

Walt 4467 My mind is always undisturbed,

well-purified and very clear.

I do not know arrows of grief,

nor any torment in my heart. Verse 6

Walt 4468 I do not get the itch, ringworm,

rashes, abscesses, leprosy,

epilepsy and scabies too :

that is the fruit of sweeping up . Verse 7

Walt 4469 Grief as well as lamentation

are not known in this heart of mine.

My mind’s upright and unattached:

that is the fruit of sweeping up . Verse 8

Walt 4470 My mind is pure, I do not cling

when in the meditative states.

Whichever of those states I want,

it always comes to be for me. Verse 9

Walt 4471 I’m not attached to lustful ways

and also not to hateful ones ;

not bewildered in ignorance:

that is the fruit of sweeping up . Verse 10

Walt 4472 In the ninety-one aeons since

I did that karma at that time,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of sweeping up . Verse 11

Walt 4473 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 12

Walt 4474 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 13

Walt 4475 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 14

Thus indeed Venerable Sakiṁsammajjaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sakiṁsammajjaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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