Tha Ap 471Sayampaṭibhāṇiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

466. {469.} Sayampaṭibhāṇiya

Walt 4908 “Who is not pleased after seeing

the God of Gods, the Bull of Men,

shining like a dinner-plate tree,

when he’s going along the road? Verse 1

Walt 4909 Who is not pleased after seeing

him shining the light of knowledge,

driving away all the darkness,

ferrying many folks across? Verse 2

Walt 4910 Who is not pleased after seeing

the Leader of the World going

with one hundred thousand masters,

and lifting up many beings? Verse 3

Walt 4911 Who is not pleased after seeing

him beat the drum of the Teaching,

sounding the roar of a lion,

crushing groups of ford-worshippers? Verse 4

Walt 4912 Who is not pleased after seeing

all the gods including Brahmā

come all the way from Brahmā’s world,

asking Buddha subtle questions? Verse 5

Walt 4913 Who is not pleased after seeing

the world with its gods imploring,

both hands pressed together for him,

enjoying merit due to that? Verse 6

Walt 4914 Who is not pleased after seeing

all the people come together,

attending on the Eyeful One?

Invited, he does not waver. Verse 7

Walt 4915 Who is not pleased after seeing

numerous drums bellowing, and

rutting elephants trumpeting,

when he’s entering the city? Verse 8

Walt 4916 Who is not pleased after seeing

the All-Bright One always shining,

and raised spots becoming level,

when he is going on the road? Verse 9

Walt 4917 Who is not pleased after seeing

him instructing every being,

being heard throughout the cosmos,

when the Blessed One is speaking?” Verse 10

Walt 4918 In the hundred thousand aeons

since I praised the Buddha like that ,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of praising him . Verse 11

Walt 4919 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 12

Walt 4920 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 13

Walt 4921 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 14

Thus indeed Venerable Sayampaṭibhāṇiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sayampaṭibhāṇiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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