251. Thomadāyaka (THA-AP253)

Standing in the world of the gods,
having listened to the Teaching
of Vipassi Buddha, Great Sage,
satisfied I uttered these words:

“Praise to you, O Well-Bred Person!
Praise to you, Ultimate Person!
While explaining the deathless state
you ferry many folks across.”

In the ninety-one aeons since
I uttered that speech at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of speaking praises.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Thomadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Thomadāyaka 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.

For more information, visit apadanatranslation.org

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.