Tha Ap 503Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

– Kaṇikāra Chapter, the Fifty-First

498. {501.} Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya

Walt 5359 The Sambuddha named Sumedha,

Bearing the Thirty-two Great Marks,

Seclusion-Lover, Sambuddha,

came up to the Himalayas. Verse 1

Walt 5360 Plunged into the Himalayas,

the Chief, Compassionate, the Sage,

getting into lotus posture,

sat down, the Ultimate Person. Verse 2

Walt 5361 I was a sorcerer back then,

one who could travel through the sky;

taking my well-made trident I

was going through the sky right there . Verse 3

Walt 5362 Like fire burning on a mountain,

like the moon on the fifteenth day,

the Buddha blazed forth in the woods,

like a regal sal tree in bloom. Verse 4

Walt 5363 Coming down from atop the woods,

the Buddha’s rays filled all of space,

with the color of a reed-fire.

Seeing that , I pleased my own heart. Verse 5

Walt 5364 Wandering, I saw a flower,

a dinner-plate with divine scent.

Carrying three of those flowers

I offered them to the Buddha. Verse 6

Walt 5365 Through Buddha’s majestic power,

just then those three flowers of mine,

stems turned upward, petals downward,

they’re making shade for the Teacher. Verse 7

Walt 5366 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 8

Walt 5367 There my well-constructed mansion

was known by the name “Dinner-Plate.”

It measured sixty leagues in length,

and it was thirty leagues in width. Verse 9

Walt 5368 A hundred thousand pinnacles,

a mil- kaṇḍa cent- bheṇḍu large ,

made of gold, covered in flags,

appeared for me on that mansion. Verse 10

Walt 5369 Palanquins made out of crystal,

made of gold or made of gemstones,

and also made out of rubies,

go where I wish if I should wish. Verse 11

Walt 5370 And there was an expensive bed,

which had an assembled mattress,

with a wool blanket on one end,

and furnished with lots of pillows. Verse 12

Walt 5371 Going out from the palace, I’m

wandering in divine travels,

going according to my wish,

honored by the gods’ assembly. Verse 13

Walt 5372 I stand on flowers underneath;

a canopy is above me.

A hundred leagues on every side

is covered with dinner-plate trees . Verse 14

Walt 5373 There sixty thousand instruments

wait on me evening and morning.

They’re attending me constantly,

by night and day they’re not lazy. Verse 15

Walt 5374 I delight in play and pleasures;

desiring desires, I rejoice

due to the dances and singing,

the percussion and speeches there. Verse 16

Walt 5375 Eating and drinking there I’m then

rejoicing among the thirty,

together with troops of women

I rejoice in my great mansion. Verse 17

Walt 5376 And five hundred different times,

I exercised divine rule there .

And three hundred different times,

I was a king who turns the wheel.

And I enjoyed much local rule,

innumerable by counting. Verse 18

Walt 5377 Transmigrating from birth to birth,

I receive many possessions.

I have no lack of possessions:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 19

Walt 5378 I transmigrate in just two states:

that of a god, or of a man.

I know no other rebirth state :

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 20

Walt 5379 I am born in the two high clans,

kṣatriyan and also brahmin.

I don’t get born in lesser clans:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 21

Walt 5380 Elephant- and horse-vehicles,

palanquins and chariots too ,

I am receiving all of that:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 22

Walt 5381 Troops of slaves and troops of slave-girls,

and women who are all decked out,

I am receiving all of that:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 23

Walt 5382 Silk material, woolen stuff,

khoma cloth and cotton goods too ,

I am receiving all of that:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 24

Walt 5383 New clothing and fruit which is fresh,

pure food of foremost tastiness,

I am receiving all of that:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 25

Walt 5384 People saying, “eat this, enjoy

this, please lie down on this fine bed,”

I am receiving all of that:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 26

Walt 5385 Everywhere I’m given honor

and I have very lofty fame,

always in the majority,

my retinue has no factions.

I’m the best of my relatives:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 27

Walt 5386 I’m not aware of cold nor heat,

and burning fever is not known.

Likewise there is not found in me,

suffering of the mind or heart. Verse 28

Walt 5387 Having been the color of gold,

I transmigrate from birth to birth.

I do not know a bad color:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 29

Walt 5388 Falling down from the world of gods,

incited by my wholesome roots,

I am reborn in Śrāvasti,

in a wealthy clan with big halls. Verse 30

Walt 5389 Giving up the five sense pleasures,

I went forth into homelessness.

Being only seven years old,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 31

Walt 5390 Knowing my virtue, the Buddha,

the Eyeful One, then ordained me .

A young boy worthy of honor:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 32

Walt 5391 The “divine eye” is purified;

I’m skilled in meditative states.

Special knowledges perfected:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 33

Walt 5392 Analytical modes attained,

skilled in the magical powers,

perfect in special knowledges:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 34

Walt 5393 In the thirty thousand aeons

since I worshipped the Buddha then ,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 35

Walt 5394 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 36

Walt 5395 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 37

Walt 5396 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 38

Thus indeed Venerable Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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