Tha Ap 51Subhadda

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

49. Subhadda

Walt 1215 Padumuttara, World-Knower,

Sacrificial Recipient,

Great Famed One, lifting up people

did make them achieve nirvana. Verse 1

Walt 1216 And as the Buddha passed away

the ten thousand worlds were quaking.

A huge group of people and gods

assembled together there then. Verse 2

Walt 1217 Happy, and with a happy heart

I anointed the Best of Men

with a covering that was full

of incense and jasmine flowers. Verse 3

Walt 1218 The Teacher, Peerless in the World,

discerning what I was thinking,

the Clever One, the Sambuddha

uttered these verses about me : Verse 4

Walt 1219 “I shall relate details of him

who in these , my final moments,

covered me with scents and flowers;

all of you listen to my words: Verse 5

Walt 1220 Fallen from here this person will

go to the Tusitā heaven.

Exercising divine rule there

he will then go to Nimmāna. Verse 6

Walt 1221 There in that very same way he

having given superb flowers,

delighting in his own karma

will then enjoy much happiness. Verse 7

Walt 1222 Fallen again this man will be

born in a Tusitā body.

Falling from that body as well

he will go to a human state. Verse 8

Walt 1223 The Śākyas’ Son, Great Elephant,

Leader in the world with its gods

Eyeful One, awakening, will

make many achieve nirvana. Verse 9

Walt 1224 Going forth as a non-Buddhist,

incited by his wholesome roots,

approaching the Sambuddha he

will ask good questions at that time. Verse 10

Walt 1225 Once he’s spoken, the Sambuddha,

the Omniscient One, World-Leader,

discerning his former karma

will reveal the Four Noble Truths. Verse 11

Walt 1226 This one, wise and energetic,

happy, and with a tranquil mind,

after worshipping the Teacher

will ask to go forth a Buddhist . Verse 12

Walt 1227 The One Skilled in the Top Teaching,

he, the Buddha, will then ordain

this one gladdened by own-karma,

after seeing his well -pleased mind. Verse 13

Walt 1228 This man, after all his striving

in the Buddha’s dispensation,

knowing well all the defilements

will reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 14

Walt 1229 The Fifth Recitation Portion.

In keeping with my past karma,

being calm and well-attentive,

the Buddha’s legitimate son,

I am well-made, born from Dhamma . Verse 15

Walt 1230 Approaching the King of Teaching

I asked the ultimate question.

In addressing my question he

unloosed the stream of the Teaching. Verse 16

Walt 1231 Understanding his Teaching, I

lived fond of the dispensation.

Knowing well all the defilements,

without defilements I now live. Verse 17

Walt 1232 One hundred thousand aeons hence

the Buddha named for a lotus,

achieved nirvana, beyond grasp,

like a lamp deprived of its oil. Verse 18

Walt 1233 There was a stupa, made of gems,

rising up seven leagues in height ,

all-auspicious and delightful;

there I performed a flag- pūjā . Verse 19

Walt 1234 Tissa, the foremost follower

of the Sambuddha, Kassapa,

was my own legitimate son,

an heir to that Victor’s teaching. Verse 20

Walt 1235 Because of his immature mind,

I once spoke inauspicious words.

As the result of that bad deed

I only saw the Victor’s death. Verse 21

Walt 1236 In a garden in a sal grove

the Great Sage, then on his death bed,

the Friend, Compassionate, Victor,

the Great Hero, ordained me there . Verse 22

Walt 1237 Today, right now I have gone forth;

today’s my ordination too.

And today’s the final passing

in front of the Best of Bipeds. Verse 23

Walt 1238 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 24

Thus indeed Venerable Subhadda Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Subhadda Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

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