Tha Ap 550Lomasakaṅgiya

– Therāpadāna

– The Legends of the Theras

545. {548.} Lomasakaṅgiya

Walt 6247 In this present lucky aeon

Brahmā’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,

known by the name of Kassapa,

Best Debater, Buddha, arose. Verse 1

Walt 6248 Back then both Candana and I,

gone forth in the dispensation,

fulfilling Dhamma to the end

of life in the dispensation, Verse 2

Walt 6249-6250 fallen from there were both reborn

as gods in Tusitā heaven.

Having surpassed the others there,

through dances which were divine, and

through songs and through speeches and the

ten attainments starting with looks,

living our lifespan’s full extent,

we’re enjoying great happiness. Verse 3-4

Walt 6251 Falling from there, Candana was

reborn among the thirty gods ;

I was a son of the Śākyas,

in Kapilavastu city. Verse 5

Walt 6252 When the Buddha , the World’s Leader,

asked by the Elder, Udāyi,

with compassion for the Śākyas

returned to Kapilavastu, Verse 6

Walt 6253 the proud among the Śākyans then,

not knowing the Buddha’s virtue,

aren’t bowing to the Sambuddha,

caste-conceited, disrespectful. Verse 7

Walt 6254 Discerning what they were thinking,

walking back and forth in the sky,

the Victor rained like the Rain-God,

and blazed forth like the God of Fire. Verse 8

Walt 6255 Displaying his unequaled form,

he made it disappear again.

Having been one, he was many,

and then again he was alone. Verse 9

Walt 6256 He showed himself in varied forms,

in darkness as well as bright light.

Having performed that miracle,

the Sage instructed his kinsmen. Verse 10

Walt 6257 A huge cloud four continents -wide

rained forth on the world all the time.

Then the Buddha preached to them all

the Vessantara Jātaka . Verse 11

Walt 6258 At that time all those kṣatriyans,

having slain their caste-born conceit,

approached the Buddha for refuge.

Then King Suddhodana said this: Verse 12

Walt 6259 “O Very Wise One this is the third time I’m

worshipping your feet, One with Eyes on All Sides;

the first time was when your birth caused the earth to quake,

next when the rose-apple’s shade did not leave you.” Verse 13

Walt 6260 Seeing the Buddha’s majestic

power, I too was astonished.

Having gone forth right on that spot,

I dwelt, worshipped by my mother. Verse 14

Walt 6261 Candana, now son of a god,

approached me, then examined me

on the Bhaddekaratta Sutta ,

in abridged and extended forms. Verse 15

Walt 6262 Then being incited by him,

I approached the Leader of Men.

Hearing the Bhaddekaratta ,

moved, I longed for the forest -life . Verse 16

Walt 6263 Then I asked my mother about

going alone to the forest.

My mother said, “You’re Delicate.

Refrain from that course .” Then I said: Verse 17

Walt 6264 “ When I’m practicing solitude,

I will push away with my chest

sacrificial grass and cane grass,

cuscus grass, tender grass, coarse grass. Verse 18

Walt 6265 Gone into the woods, recalling

the Victor’s dispensation, the

advice in Bhaddekaratta ,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 19

Walt 6266 The past is not to be pursued;

the future's not to be longed for.

What is past has been left behind,

and the future is unattained. Verse 20

Walt 6267 Everywhere he who sees clearly

a thing which arises then falls ,

that wise one fosters nirvana ,

unconquerable and steady. Verse 21

Walt 6268 Now, today effort should be made;

who knows if there’s death tomorrow?

There exists no contract for us

with the massive army of Death. Verse 22

Walt 6269 “Living thus, making great effort,

day and night, without laziness,

that indeed’s Bhaddekaratto ,”

so says the Sage, the Peaceful One.” Verse 23

Walt 6270 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 24

Walt 6271 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 25

Walt 6272 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 26

Thus indeed Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Lomasakaṅgiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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