112. Sumaṅgala (THA-AP114)

Atthadassi, the Best Victor,
the World’s Best One, the Bull of Men,
setting out from the monastery
came up to the lake near my home.

The Sambuddha bathed and drank there,
then he got out and in one robe
the Blessed One stood on that spot,
surveying all the directions.

While dwelling in my residence,
I saw the Leader of the World
shining like the hundred-rayed sun,
glittering like well-crafted gold
and happy, with a happy heart
I then snapped my fingers so to
conduct dances and also songs
and the five kinds of music there.

In whichever womb I’m reborn,
whether it’s human or divine,
I surpass all other creatures
and my glory is abundant.

“Praise to you, O Well-Bred Person!
Praise to you, Ultimate Person!
Having made yourself happy, Sage,
now you are pleasing all others.”

Having accepted, sitting down,
the One With Good Vows caused laughter.
I having served the Sambuddha
was then reborn in Tusitā.

In the sixteenth aeon ago
eleven Ekacintitas
were wheel-turners with great power,
possessors of the seven gems.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Sumaṅgala Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sumaṅgala 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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