Tha Ap 450Pādapīṭhiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

445. {448.} Pādapīṭhiya

Walt 4766 The Sambuddha named Sumedha,

the Chief, Compassionate, the Sage,

causing many beings to cross,

then reached nirvana, Great-Famed One. Verse 1

Walt 4767 Happy, with pleasure in my heart,

I had a stool for the feet made

close to the lion-throne of him,

of Sumedha, the Sage So Great. Verse 2

Walt 4768 Doing that wholesome karma which

bears fruit and leads to happiness,

conforming to my good karma,

I then went to Tāvatiṁsa. Verse 3

Walt 4769 When I was living in that world,

being endowed with good karma,

when lifting up my feet a gold

footstool then comes to be for me. Verse 4

Walt 4770 The gain for them is well-received,

who are getting a listening;

serving Buddha in nirvana,

they’re receiving huge happiness. Verse 5

Walt 4771 My karma too was so well done,

carefully employing merchants.

After having a footstool made,

I’m receiving a chair of gold. Verse 6

Walt 4772 Whichever direction I go,

for any reason at all, I’m

stepping on a stool of gold:

that is the fruit of good karma. Verse 7

Walt 4773 In the thirty thousand aeons

since I did that karma back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of a footstool. Verse 8

Walt 4774 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 9

Walt 4775 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 10

Walt 4776 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 11

Thus indeed Venerable Pādapīṭhiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Pādapīṭhiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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