331. Gandhathūpiya (THA-AP333)

I gave a scented stupa for
Siddhattha Buddha, Blessed One,
enveloped by jasmine flowers
as befitted the Sambuddha.

The Sambuddha, the World’s Leader,
was like a costly thing of gold,
bright like a blue water lily,
blazing up like a fire-altar.

My heart was pleased by having seen
the Chief of Monks who was seated,
Honored by the monks’ Assembly,
like an excellent tiger-bull,
like a lion of good breeding,
and pressing my hands together,
having worshipped the Teacher’s feet,
I departed facing the north.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave those good scents at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of doing scent-pūjā.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Gandhathūpiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Gandhathūpiya 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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Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.