Tha Ap 541Rādha

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

536. {539.} Rādha

Walt 5956 The Victor, Padumuttara,

the Sage, Knower of Every World,

the One who had Five Eyes, arose

a hundred thousand aeons hence. Verse 1

Walt 5957 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 5958 Merciful, Compassionate One,

Well-Wisher of all that breathe, he

established in the five precepts

all the rivals who had arrived. Verse 3

Walt 5959 In this way he was Unconfused

and Very Well-Known by rivals,

Ornamented by arahants

who were masters and neutral ones. Verse 4

Walt 5960 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 5961 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 5962 I then lived in Haṁsavatī,

brahmin master of the mantras.

Approaching the Excellent Man,

I heard the preaching of Dhamma , Verse 7

Walt 5963 the Great Hero, the World- Leader,

Confident among Multitudes,

appointing a monk with quick wit,

in that quality’s foremost place. Verse 8

Walt 5964 After doing deeds at that time

for the Leader and Assembly,

having bowed my head at his feet,

I aspired to attain that place. Verse 9

Walt 5965-5966 With his lovely voice conveying

away all defilements and stains,

he as Shiny as Gold Ingots,

the Blessed One then said to me,

“May you be happy and long-lived;

your intention is accomplished.

Hugely fruitful for you will be

this deed done for the monks and me. Verse 10-11

Walt 5967 In one hundred thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 12

Walt 5968 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

the one given the name Rādha

will be the Teacher’s follower.” Verse 13

Walt 5969 Glad by reason of your virtue,

the Śākyas’ Son, the Bull of Men,

the Leader’s going to appoint you

foremost of those who have quick wit.” Verse 14

Walt 5970 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 15

Walt 5971 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 16

Walt 5972 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 17

Walt 5973 There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting.

Through the power of that karma,

I was happy in every place. Verse 18

Walt 5974 When my last rebirth was attained,

I was born in a brahmin clan,

poor, and wanting for clothes and food,

in Rajgir, ultimate city. Verse 19

Walt 5975 I gave a ladle’s worth of food

to Sāriputta, neutral one,

when I was old and decrepit,

and I came to his hermitage. Verse 20

Walt 5976 Nobody was ordaining me,

being old and of failing strength;

due to that, old and discolored,

I was sorrow ful at that time. Verse 21

Walt 5977 Having seen me, Great Compassion,

the Sage So Great said this to me:

“What meaning has this sorrow, son?

Tell me of your mental anguish.” Verse 22

Walt 5978 “I’m not getting ordained, Hero,

in your well-preached dispensation;

thus I’m miserable with grief;

be my refuge, O Leader.” Verse 23

Walt 5979 Then calling the monks together,

the Seventh Sage questioned them thus :

“Let them speak, those who remember

the service of this one for us .” Verse 24

Walt 5980 Sāriputta spoke at that time:

“I remember his deed for us .

He gave a ladleful of food

to me then wandering for alms.” Verse 25

Walt 5981 Excellent, Excellent, grateful

Sāriputta! Now you ordain

this man, an elderly brahmin;

he’s going to be a thoroughbred. Verse 26

Walt 5982 Then I got to go forth and got

ordained with proper ritual.

In a short time I then attained

destruction of the defilements. Verse 27

Walt 5983 Thrilled and mindful, I’m listening

carefully to the Sage’s words.

Then the Victor placed me in the

foremost place of those with quick wit. Verse 28

Walt 5984 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 29

Walt 5985 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 30

Walt 5986 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 31

Thus indeed Venerable Rādha Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Rādha Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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