211. Hatthidāyaka (THA-AP213)

I gifted a fine elephant,
with tusks like plough-poles, fully grown,
to Siddhattha, the Blessed One,
Lord of Bipeds, the Neutral One.

I grasp the ultimate meaning,
the unsurpassed pathway to peace.
I gave a very costly gift
to the Well-Wisher of All Worlds.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave him that gift at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of giving elephants.

In the seventy-eighth aeon
there were sixteen of royal caste,
named Samantapāsādika,
wheel-turning monarchs with great strength.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Hatthidāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Hatthidāyaka 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.