284. Ekapupphiya (THA-AP286)

At that time I was a goblin,
residing at the southern gate.
I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
bright but cool like a rayless sun.

One flower was given by me
to Vipassi, the Chief of Men,
the Well-Wisher of Every World,
the Best Biped, the Neutral One.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I gave that flower to him back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Ekapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekapupphiya 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.