Tha Ap 486Ñāṇatthavika

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

481. {484.} Ñāṇatthavika

Walt 5076 My well-made hermitage was there,

in the southern Himalayas.

Searching for ultimate meaning,

I’m then living in the forest. Verse 1

Walt 5077 Satisfied with roots and with fruit,

whether I receive them or not,

searching for a proper teacher,

I am living alone just then . Verse 2

Walt 5078 The Sambuddha named Sumedha

arose in the world at that time.

While preaching the Four Noble Truths;

he ferried many folks across. Verse 3

Walt 5079 I did not hear of the Buddha,

and no one told me about him .

When the eighth year had elapsed, I

heard of the Leader of the World. Verse 4

Walt 5080 After bringing wood for the fire,

having swept out the hermitage,

having taken my shoulder yoke,

I set out from the forest then . Verse 5

Walt 5081 Staying over a single night

in villages and also towns,

little by little I approached

the city named Candavatī. Verse 6

Walt 5082 The Buddha in that period

was Sumedha, the World-Leader.

Preaching the state of deathlessness,

he’s lifting up many beings. Verse 7

Walt 5083 Stepping past the mass of people,

worshipping the dispensation,

placing deer-hide on one shoulder

I praised the Leader of the World: Verse 8

Walt 5084 “You’re the Teacher for those who breathe,

the Banner, the Flag and the Pole;

you are the Goal, the Solid Ground,

the Island, the Best of Bipeds. Verse 9

Walt 5085 The twenty-first Recitation Portion

Sharp in philosophy, Hero,

you ferry the people across.

There’s no other star in the world

that is higher than you, O Sage. Verse 10

Walt 5086 It is possible to measure

the ocean with a blade of grass,

but not ever could one measure

your knowledge, O Omniscient One. Verse 11

Walt 5087 It’s possible to lift the earth

onto a comparable sphere,

but not ever could one measure

your wisdom, O Omniscient One. Verse 12

Walt 5088 It’s possible to measure all

space with a rope or by the inch,

but not ever could one measure

your good conduct, Omniscient One. Verse 13

Walt 5089 The water in the great ocean,

and space of this bountiful earth,

are both things that can be measured;

you’re beyond measure, Eyeful One.” Verse 14

Walt 5090 With those six verses having praised

the Greatly Famed, Omniscient One,

having pressed both hands together,

I then remained there silently. Verse 15

Walt 5091 The one whom they call “Sumedha,”

Very Wise and Intelligent,

seated in the monks’ Assembly,

spoke these verses about me then : Verse 16

Walt 5092 “This one who has praised my knowledge,

feeling- well pleased by his own hands,

I shall relate details of him;

all of you listen to my words: Verse 17

Walt 5093 For seventy-seven aeons

he’ll delight in the world of gods.

A thousand times the lord of gods,

he will exercise divine rule. Verse 18

Walt 5094 Also, a different hundred times,

he’ll be a king who turns the wheel.

And there will be much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 19

Walt 5095 Whether born human or divine,

being fitted with good karma,

with intentions not lacking thought,

he will be one with sharp wisdom. Verse 20

Walt 5096 In thirty thousand aeons hence ,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 21

Walt 5097 Having departed from the house,

he will go forth, having nothing.

Being only seven years old,

he will attain arahantship.” Verse 22

Walt 5098 As far back as I remember,

ever since I reached discretion,

in the interval I don’t know

any thinking that’s not lovely. Verse 23

Walt 5099 Transmigrating, in every life,

I experience good fortune.

I have no lack of possessions:

that’s the fruit in praising knowledge. Verse 24

Walt 5100 The three fires are blown out in me;

all new existence is destroyed;

knowing well all the defilements,

I am now dwelling undefiled. Verse 25

Walt 5101 In the thirty thousand aeons

since I praised the Buddha’s knowledge,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit in praising knowledge. Verse 26

Walt 5102 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 27

Walt 5103 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 28

Walt 5104 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 29

Thus indeed Venerable Ñāṇatthavika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ñāṇatthavika Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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