218. Akkantasaññaka (THA-AP220)

In the past I, having taken
a crude cloak to my preceptor,
I am studying a mantra
to split arrows with an arrow.

I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
Sacrificial Recipient,
the Chief, Superb, Bull among Men,
Tissa Buddha, Best Elephant.

That crude cloak was spread out by me
for the Best Man, who was walking,
the Lofty One, the Great Hero,
the World’s Best, the Bull of Men.

Having seen that Lamp of the World,
who was Flawless, the Moon-like One,
I then worshipped the Teacher’s feet,
with a mind which was very clear.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave that crude cloak to Buddha,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of giving a crude cloak.

In the thirty-seventh aeon
hence there was one lord of people,
known by the name of Sunanda,
a wheel-turning king 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 Akkantasaññaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Akkantasaññaka 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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