391. {394.} Madhudāyaka (THA-AP396)

I had a well-made hermitage,
on the banks of River Indus.
There I am instructing students
in history and reading signs.

They lived on the Indus’ slopes,
desiring teachings, learned folks,
masters in Vedic sciences,
wanting to hear good instruction.

They were skilled in interpreting
omens as well as reading signs.
Searching for ultimate meaning,
they then dwelt within the forest.

The Sambuddha named Sumedha
arose in the world at that time.
Being filled with pity for us,
the Buddha, the Guide, approached us.

Fashioning a mat out of grass
for Sumedha, the World’s Leader,
the Great Hero who had approached,
I gave it to the World’s Best One.

Taking honey from the forest,
I gave it to the Best Buddha.
The Sambuddha, having consumed
it, spoke these words to us back then:

“He who gave this honey to me,
feeling well- pleased by his own hands,
I shall relate details of him;
all of you listen to my words:

Because of this honey-giving,
and because of the mat of grass,
for thirty thousand aeons he
will delight in the world of gods.

After thirty thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world.

Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma,
Dhamma’s legitimate offspring,
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.”

Coming here from the world of gods,
when I approached my mother’s womb,
there then rained a rain of honey;
the earth was covered with honey.

When I was coming out from the
womb, as though very unhappily,
there again a rain of honey
is raining for me constantly.

Having departed from the house,
I went forth into homelessness.
I am receiving food and drink:
that’s the fruit of giving honey.

Whether born human or divine,
I succeed in all my wishes.
Just because of that honey-gift,
I attained my arahantship.

When the god is raining, I am always living
undefiled and happy, on grass four fingers high,
or covered by a tree bursting forth in full bloom,
in an empty house, a pavilion, or tree root.

I’ve overcome all existence,
great or small or in the middle.
Today I’m free of defilements;
now there will be no more rebirth.

In the thirty thousand aeons
since I gave that gift at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving honey.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
All defilements are exhausted;
now there will be no more rebirth.

My being in Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!

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

Thus indeed Venerable Madhudāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Madhudāyaka 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.

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