Tha Ap 539Mahākoṭṭhika

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

534. {537.} Mahākoṭṭhika

Walt 5881 The Victor, Padumuttara,

the Sage, Knower of Every World,

the One who had Five Eyes, arose

a hundred thousand aeons hence. Verse 1

Walt 5882 The Admonisher, Instructor,

Crosser-Over of all that breathe,

Skilled at Preaching, he , the Buddha,

caused many folks to cross the flood . Verse 2

Walt 5883 Merciful, Compassionate One,

Well-Wisher of all that breathe, he

established in the five precepts

all the rivals who had arrived. Verse 3

Walt 5884 In this way he was Unconfused

and Very Well-Known by rivals,

Ornamented by arahants

who were masters and neutral ones. Verse 4

Walt 5885 The body of the Sage So Great

rose up fifty-eight cubits tall ;

he was Valuable Like Gold,

Bearing the Thirty-Two Great Marks. Verse 5

Walt 5886 People’s lifespan at that time was

fully one hundred thousand years.

Remaining in the world so long,

he ferried many folks across. Verse 6

Walt 5887 I then lived in Haṁsavatī,

brahmin master of the Vedas.

Approaching Beings’ Best Hardwood,

I heard the preaching of Dhamma . Verse 7

Walt 5888-5889 Then Buddha placed a follower,

who pastured in developed thought,

skilled in meaning and the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

a hero, in that foremost place.

After hearing that, I was thrilled;

then for a week I fed him , the

Best Victor, with his followers. Verse 8-9

Walt 5890 Having covered with new cloth robes

the Wisdom-Sea with his students,

bowing down in front of his feet,

I aspired to attain that place. Verse 10

Walt 5891 Afterward the World-Chief said this :

“Look at that excellent brahmin,

now bent down in front of my feet,

with lotus-belly radiance. Verse 11

Walt 5892-5893 This one’s aspiring to the place

of the monk of the Best Buddha.

Through that faith, generosity,

and his hearing of the Teaching,

he’ll transmigrate from birth to birth,

being happy in every place;

very far into the future,

he’ll receive that delightful place . Verse 12-13

Walt 5894 In one hundred thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 14

Walt 5895 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

the one whose name is Koṭṭhita

will be the Teacher’s follower.” Verse 15

Walt 5896 After hearing that I was thrilled,

and then for as long as I lived,

mindful, loving-hearted and wise,

I waited on him , the Victor. Verse 16

Walt 5897 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 17

Walt 5898 Three hundred times the lord of gods,

I exercised divine rule there ,

and then five hundred times I was

a king who turns the wheel of law . Verse 18

Walt 5899 There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting.

Through the power of that karma,

I was happy in every place. Verse 19

Walt 5900 I transmigrate in just two states:

that of a god, or of a man.

I don’t go to other rebirths:

that’s the fruit of good practice. Verse 20

Walt 5901 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 good practice. Verse 21

Walt 5902 When my last rebirth was attained

I was a kinsman of Brahmā,

reborn then in a brahmin clan

in Śrāvasti, very wealthy. Verse 22

Walt 5903-5904 Mother was named Candavatī;

my father Assalāyana.

When with all intelligence the

Buddha instructed my father,

being pleased with the Well-Gone-One,

I went forth into homelessness.

Moggallāna was my teacher;

Sāri’s child was my preceptor. Verse 23-24

Walt 5905 When my hair was being cut off,

views were cut off too , with their roots.

While living in the saffron robes,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 25

Walt 5906 Because my thought was developed

well in meaning and the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

the World-Chief placed me in that place. Verse 26

Walt 5907 Questioned by Upatissa, I

explained with no thing indistinct.

Thus in analytical modes,

I’m foremost in the religion. Verse 27

Walt 5908 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 28

Walt 5909 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 29

Walt 5910 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 30

Thus indeed Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Mahākoṭṭhika Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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