Tha Ap 445Billaphaliya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

440. {443.} Billaphaliya

Walt 4731 On Candabhāgā River’s bank,

my well-constructed hermitage

was served by varied types of trees,

and strewn with bel trees full of fruit. Verse 1

Walt 4732-4733 Seeing a fragrant bel tree, I,

remembering the Best Buddha,

having filled up a khāri load,

thrilled, mind stirred up with emotion,

having approached Kakusandha,

with a mind that was very clear,

I gave that bel fruit I had brought

to him, the Hero, Merit-Field. Verse 2-3

Walt 4734 Within the present aeon, since

I gave that fruit to him back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of giving fruit. Verse 4

Walt 4735 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 5

Walt 4736 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 6

Walt 4737 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 7

Thus indeed Venerable Billaphaliya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Billaphaliya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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