Tha Ap 429Ekadhammasavanīya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

424. {427.} Ekadhammasavanīya

Walt 4548 The Victor, Padumuttara,

was the Master of Everything.

While preaching the Four Noble Truths,

he ferried many folks across. Verse 1

Walt 4549 A matted-haired ascetic then,

I practiced fierce austerities.

Throwing off my clothes made of bark,

I traveled in the sky back then. Verse 2

Walt 4550 I am not then able to go

over him, the Best of Buddhas.

Like a bird that has struck a rock,

I am unable to proceed. Verse 3

Walt 4551 Having walked upon the water,

so I am flying through the sky.

Previously my behavior

never had been interrupted. Verse 4

Walt 4552-4553 “Well now I’ll investigate that.

I might get some small benefit.”

Descending from the sky I then

heard the sweet sound of the Teacher,

who was preaching impermanence

with a voice that was enticing,

good to listen to, beautiful.

I took up that Teaching back then. Verse 5-6

Walt 4554 Having perceived impermanence,

I went back to my hermitage.

Remaining as long as I lived,

I later passed away right there. Verse 7

Walt 4555 In subsequent existences,

I recalled hearing the Teaching.

Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 8

Walt 4556 For thirty thousand aeons I

delighted in the world of gods,

and fifty-one times while there , I

exercised rule over the gods. Verse 9

Walt 4557 And twenty-one times I was then

a king who turns the wheel of law .

And I enjoyed much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 10

Walt 4558 I enjoyed my own good karma,

being happy from birth to birth.

Recalling that perception, I

transmigrated from birth to birth.

I do not comprehend the end,

nirvana, the eternal state. Verse 11

Walt 4559 Sitting down in my father’s house,

a monk with senses well- controlled

was then explaining this sermon,

spoken about impermanence: Verse 12

Walt 4560 “In flux indeed is all that is;

things that arise and then decline

are being born and then dying;

happy is the relief from them.” Verse 13

Walt 4561 Right after having heard that verse,

I recalled my past perception.

Sitting down on a single seat,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 14

Walt 4562 When only seven years of age,

I attained my arahantship.

The Buddha himself ordained me:

the fruit of hearing the Teaching. Verse 15

Walt 4563 In the hundred thousand aeons

since I heard the Teaching back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

the fruit of hearing the Teaching. Verse 16

Walt 4564 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 17

Walt 4565 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 18

Walt 4566 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 19

Thus indeed Venerable Ekadhammasavanīya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekadhammasavanīya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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