312. Bhojanadāyaka (THA-AP314)

Of good birth like a sal tree’s bough,
rising up like a drumstick tree,
streaking the sky like Indra’s bolt,
the Victor was always shining.

With a mind that was very clear,
I donated edibles to
him, the God Over Other Gods,
Vessabhu Buddha, the Great Sage.

The Self-Become, Unconquered One,
the Buddha, gave me thanks for that:
“let it be born as fruit for you,
as you’re reborn in existence.”

In the thirty-one aeons since
I gave that gift to him back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of giving food.

In the twenty-five aeon hence
there was one man, Amittabhā,
a wheel-turning king with great strength,
possessor of the seven gems.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Bhojanadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Bhojanadāyaka 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.