Tha Ap 434Ekasaṅkhiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

429. {432.} Ekasaṅkhiya

Walt 4642 There was a large festival for

Vipassi Buddha’s Bodhi tree .

The populace came together,

worshipping that superb Bodhi. Verse 1

Walt 4643 “Surely he’s no inferior,

the one whose Bodhi tree this is;

this will be a Best of Buddhas;”

the Teacher’s tree should be worshipped.” Verse 2

Walt 4644 After that, taking a conch shell,

I attended that Bodhi tree.

Blowing that conch shell every day,

I worshipped the supreme Bodhi. Verse 3

Walt 4645 Doing that karma when near death,

I attained the world of the gods.

When my human body fell down,

I delighted in the gods’ world. Verse 4

Walt 4646 Thrilled, happy, overjoyed, playing

sixty thousand instruments they

give service to me all the time:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā , Verse 5

Walt 4647 I was seventy one kings named

Sudassana in this aeon,

lords of the grove of rose-apples,

victorious on all four sides. Verse 6

Walt 4648 The hundred types of instruments

are waiting on me all the time.

I’m enjoying my own karma:

that is the fruit of attendance. Verse 7

Walt 4649 In whichever womb I’m reborn,

whether it’s human or divine,

drums are always sounding for me,

even while in my mother’s womb. Verse 8

Walt 4650 After serving the Sambuddha,

after enjoying all that bliss,

now I’ve attained the deathless state,

auspicious, peaceful, unshaking. Verse 9

Walt 4651 In the ninety-one aeons since

I did that karma at that time,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 10

Walt 4652 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 11

Walt 4653 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 12

Walt 4654 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 13

Thus indeed Venerable Ekasaṅkhiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekasaṅkhiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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