252. Ekāsanadāyaka (THA-AP254)

Sloughing off my godly color,
I came to this place with my wife,
desiring to do service to
the Best Buddha’s dispensation.

Padumuttara’s follower
was known by the name Devala.
With a mind that was very clear,
I provided alms-food to him.

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I did that good karma then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving begged alms.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Ekāsanadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekāsanadāyaka 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.