37. Lasuṇadāyaka (THA-AP39)

I was an ascetic back then
not far from the Himalayas.
I sustained myself on garlic;
garlic was then my only food.

After filling some khāriyas
I went to a monastery.
I gave the Assembly garlic,
happy, and with a happy heart.

Giving the Assembly garlic,
intent on the dispensation
of Vipassi, the Top Person,
I then delighted in heaven.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I gave them that garlic back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of cloves of garlic.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Lasuṇadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Lasuṇadāyaka 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.