Tha Ap 424Ekadussadāyaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

419. {422.} Ekadussadāyaka

Walt 4476 In the City, Haṁsavatī,

I was a grass-carrier then .

I earn my living hauling grass,

and through it I feed my children. Verse 1

Walt 4477 The Victor, Padumuttara,

was the Master of Everything.

Doing away with the darkness,

the World-Leader arose back then. Verse 2

Walt 4478 While sitting down in my own house,

this is what I thought at that time:

“The Buddha’s risen in the world,

but I lack anything to give. Verse 3

Walt 4479 I only have this single cloak,

I do not have my own donor.

Suffering is a taste of hell;

I will now plant a donation.” Verse 4

Walt 4480 Contemplating it in this way,

I brought pleasure to my own heart.

Taking that single piece of cloth,

I gave it to the Best Buddha. Verse 5

Walt 4481 Having given that single cloth,

I gave rise to great shouts of joy,

“If you are a Buddha, Wise One,

carry me across, O Great Sage.” Verse 6

Walt 4482 Padumuttara, World-Knower,

Sacrificial Recipient,

singing the praises of my gift,

the Buddha then gave thanks to me: Verse 7

Walt 4483 “Because of this single cloak -gift,

done with intention and resolve,

he will not go to a bad place

for one hundred thousand aeons. Verse 8

Walt 4484 Thirty-six times a lord of gods,

he will exercise divine rule.

And thirty-three times he’ll become

a king who turns the wheel of law . Verse 9

Walt 4485 There will be much regional rule,

incalculable by counting.

In the world of gods or of men,

you’ll transmigrate in existence. Verse 10

Walt 4486 Good-looking and full of virtue,

with a body that’s not surpassed,

you’ll obtain, whenever you wish,

unwavering limitless cloth.” Verse 11

Walt 4487 When he had said this, the Buddha

known by the name Supreme Lotus,

the Hero rose into the sky,

just like a swan-king in the air. Verse 12

Walt 4488 In whichever womb I’m reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

I have no lack of possessions:

that’s the fruit of a single cloth. Verse 13

Walt 4489 With every footstep that I take ,

some cloth is then produced for me.

I stand upon cloth underneath;

a canopy on top of me. Verse 14

Walt 4490 And today I still am wishing

that I could cover with some cloth

even the whole universe

with its forests and its mountains. Verse 15

Walt 4491 Just because of that single cloth,

transmigrating from birth to birth,

I was one of golden color,

transmigrating from birth to birth. Verse 16

Walt 4492 One result of that single cloth:

no ruination anywhere.

This one will be my final life;

that now is bearing fruit for me. Verse 17

Walt 4493 In the hundred thousand aeons

since I gave that cloth at that time,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of a single cloth. Verse 18

Walt 4494 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 19

Walt 4495 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 20

Walt 4496 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 21

Thus indeed Venerable Ekadussadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekadussadāyaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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