149. Vaṭaṁsakiya (THA-AP151)

The Self-Become, Unconquered One,
the Buddha known as Sumedha,
strengthening his separation,
went off into a great forest.

Having seen a sal tree blooming,
I bound up a hair-wreath right then.
Face to face with the World-Leader,
I gave that wreath to the Buddha.

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

In the nineteen-hundredth aeon
there were sixteen named Nimmita,
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 Vaṭaṁsakiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Vaṭaṁsakiya 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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