212. Pānadhidāyaka (THA-AP214)

One time I gave a pair of shoes
to a forest-dwelling rishi
who’d long practiced austerities,
grown old, with cultivated thought.

Because of that deed, Biped Lord,
Best in the World, O Bull of Men,
I enjoy every vehicle:
that is the fruit of past karma.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I did that good karma back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of a pair of shoes.

Seventy-seven aeons hence
there were eight of the royal caste
known by the name of Suyāna,
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 Pānadhidāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Pānadhidāyaka 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.