Tha Ap 427Koraṇḍapupphiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

422. {425.} Koraṇḍapupphiya

Walt 4529 I was then a forest-worker,

as were father and grandfathers.

Earning my living killing beasts,

no wholesomeness exists for me. Verse 1

Walt 4530 In the area where I lived,

Tissa, Chief Leader of the World,

Eyeful One, compassionately

showed me three of his own footsteps. Verse 2

Walt 4531 And having seen the stepping feet

of the Teacher known as Tissa,

happy, and with a happy heart,

I pleased my heart about his feet. Verse 3

Walt 4532 Seeing a koraṇḍa in bloom,

foot-drinker growing in the earth,

taking a sprig with flowers, I

did pūja to those best of feet. Verse 4

Walt 4533 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 5

Walt 4534 In whichever womb I’m reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

I’m the color of koraṇḍa ,

and radiantly beautiful. Verse 6

Walt 4535 In the ninety-two aeons since

I did that good karma back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of worshipping feet. Verse 7

Walt 4536 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 8

Walt 4537 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 9

Walt 4538 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 10

Thus indeed Venerable Koraṇḍapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Koraṇḍapupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

For more information, visit apadanatranslation.org