Tha Ap 497Upaḍḍhadussadāyaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

492. {495.} Upaḍḍhadussadāyaka

Walt 5279 Named Sujāta, the follower

of Padumuttara Buddha,

searching for a robe made of rags,

is always going through the trash. Verse 1

Walt 5280 In the city, Haṁsavatī,

I was the hireling of others.

Having given him half a cloth,

I saluted him with my head. Verse 2

Walt 5281 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 3

Walt 5282 Thirty-three times the lord of gods,

I exercised divine rule there .

Seventy-seven times I was

a king who turns the wheel of law . Verse 4

Walt 5283 There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting.

Because of giving half a cloth,

I rejoice with nothing to fear. Verse 5

Walt 5284 And today if I am wishing,

in the woods or on a mountain,

I am covered in khoma -cloth:

that is the fruit of half a cloth. Verse 6

Walt 5285 In the hundred thousand aeons

since I gave that donation then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that is the fruit of half a cloth. Verse 7

Walt 5286 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 8

Walt 5287 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 9

Walt 5288 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 10

Thus indeed Venerable Upaḍḍhadussadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Upaḍḍhadussadāyaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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