132. Sudassana (THA-AP134)

On the Vitattha River’s bank,
there was a fig tree bearing fruit.
While I was searching for that tree
I saw the Leader of the World.

Seeing a pandanus in bloom,
after having cut off a stalk,
I gifted it to the Buddha,
Sikhi, the Kinsman of the World.

“Whatever knowledge you’ve attained
of the eternal, deathless, state,
I sing that knowledge’s praises,
O Best Buddha, O Sage so Great.”

Doing pūjā thus for knowledge,
I then saw the fruiting fig tree;
I have obtained that perception:
that’s the fruit of knowledge-pūjā.

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

In the thirteenth aeon ago
there were twelve named Phaluggata,
wheel-turning kings 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 Sudassana Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sudassana 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.

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