295. Gosīsanikkhepa (THA-AP297)

I laid down golden sandalwood
for exiting the ashram door.
I now enjoy my own karma:
that is the fruit of past karma.

Thoroughbreds, those fast like the wind,
horses from Sindh, fast vehicles:
I am enjoying all of that:
that is the fruit of sandalwood.

O! my deed, an ultimate deed,
done well in a fine arena.
None but deeds done for the monks
has the slightest bit of value

In the ninety-four aeons since
I laid down that sandalwood there,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of laying down wood.

In the seventy-fifth aeon
hence was a greatly powerful
wheel-turner who had mighty strength,
whose name was Suppatiṭṭhita.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Gosīsanikkhepa Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Gosīsanikkhepa 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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