Tha Ap 520Ghosasaññaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

515. {518.} Ghosasaññaka

Walt 5500 I was a deer-hunter back then,

within a grove in the forest.

I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,

honored by the gods’ assembly. Verse 1

Walt 5501 Explaining the Four Noble Truths,

he was preaching the deathless state.

I heard the honey -sweet Teaching

of Sikhi, Kinsman of the World. Verse 2

Walt 5502 I pleased my heart in the sound of

the Unequaled, the Peerless One.

After having pleased my heart there,

I crossed existence, hard to cross. Verse 3

Walt 5503 In the thirty-one aeons since

I obtained that perception then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of perceiving sound. Verse 4

Walt 5504 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 5

Walt 5505 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 6

Walt 5504.(5506) The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 7

Thus indeed Venerable Ghosasaññaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ghosasaññaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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