304. Dhammasaññaka (THA-AP306)

There was a huge festival
for Blessed Vipassi’s Bodhi Tree.
The Sambuddha sat at its roots,
the World’s Best, the Bull among Men.

At that moment the Blessed One,
Honored by the Monks’ Assembly,
was preaching the Four Noble Truths,
uttering his majestic speech.

Preaching by means of summary
and also extended discourses,
the Sambuddha, Covers Removed,
purified the great multitude.

Hearing the Teaching of Buddha,
of the World’s Best, the Neutral One,
having worshipped the Teacher’s feet
I departed facing the north.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I heard that Teaching at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
fruit of perceiving the Teaching.

In the thirty-third aeon hence
there was one ruler of people,
known by the name of Sutava,
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 Dhammasaññaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Dhammasaññaka 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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