104. Padapūjaka (THA-AP106)

I gave a jasmine flower to
Siddhattha, then the Blessed One,
and with laughter I then scattered
seven flowers upon his feet.

Due to that karma, today I
have surpassed gods as well as men.
I am bearing my last body
in the Buddha’s dispensation.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I offered that flower to him,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of flower-pūjā.

There were thirteen wheel-turning kings;
all were named Samantagandha,
lords over groups on all four sides,
then in the fifth aeon ago.

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed Venerable Padapūjaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Padapūjaka Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters.

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

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Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.