Tha Ap 547Nandaka

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

542. {545.} Nandaka

Walt 6165 The Victor, Padumuttara,

the One with Eyes for everything,

the Leader of the World, arose

a hundred thousand aeons hence. Verse 1

Walt 6166 Out of friendship for all beings,

for their happiness and profit,

the Best Debater, Well-Bred Man,

practiced in the world with its gods. Verse 2

Walt 6167 Who Reached the Height of Fame, Splendrous,

Supported by Praise, the Victor,

the Worshipped One of every world,

Well-Known in all directions, Verse 3

Walt 6168 who Crossed Over Perplexity,

who Moved Beyond Saying “How? How?,”

whose Mind’s Intentions are Fulfilled,

Attained supreme Awakening. Verse 4

Walt 6169 The Ultimate Man, Producer

of the road to non-production,

declared what had not been declared

and gave birth to what was unborn. Verse 5

Walt 6170 Road-Knower, Road-Discerner, he’s

the Road-Teller, the Bull of Men.

Skilled on the road, the Teacher is

the Ultimate Best of drivers. Verse 6

Walt 6171 Then the Great Compassionate One,

the Leader is preaching Dhamma ,

lifting up beings who are stuck

on the road known as delusion. Verse 7

Walt 6172 The Great Sage praised a follower

who was regarded as the best

in exhorting of Buddhist nuns,

and placed him in that foremost place. Verse 8

Walt 6173 After hearing that I was thrilled.

Inviting him , the Thus-Gone-One,

having fed him with Assembly,

I aspired to that supreme place. Verse 9

Walt 6174 At that time, the Lord, also thrilled,

the Great Sage said these words to me:

“Be happy, O long-lived one; you

will receive that beautiful place . Verse 10

Walt 6175 In one hundred thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 11

Walt 6176 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

the one whose name is Nandaka

will be the Teacher’s follower.” Verse 12

Walt 6177 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I was gone to Tāvatiṁsa. Verse 13

Walt 6178 And now, in my final rebirth,

I’m born in a millionaire’s clan,

rich, prosperous, very wealthy,

in the great city, Śrāvasti. Verse 14

Walt 6179 Seeing the Well-Gone-One at the

city gate, I was astonished;

when he got Jeta Hermitage,

I went forth into homelessness. Verse 15

Walt 6180 After not a very long time,

I attained my arahantship.

Then I’m one who’s crossed existence,

instructed by the All-Seer. Verse 16

Walt 6181 I preached Dhamma to the nuns and

performed the question and answer.

Instructed by me, all of them

became arahants , undefiled. Verse 17

Walt 6182 Five hundred of them , none lacking;

the Great Friend, gladdened at that time,

placed me in the foremost place of

those who give instruction to nuns. Verse 18

Walt 6183 Karma done a hundred thousand

aeons hence showed me its fruit here:

well-liberated, arrow-quick,

I have destroyed my defilements. Verse 19

Walt 6184 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 20

Walt 6185 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 21

Walt 6186 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 22

Thus indeed Venerable Nandaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nandaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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