466. {469.} Sayampaṭibhāṇiya (THA-AP471)

“Who is not pleased after seeing
the God of Gods, the Bull of Men,
shining like a dinner-plate tree,
when he’s going along the road?

Who is not pleased after seeing
him shining the light of knowledge,
driving away all the darkness,
ferrying many folks across?

Who is not pleased after seeing
the Leader of the World going
with one hundred thousand masters,
and lifting up many beings?

Who is not pleased after seeing
him beat the drum of the Teaching,
sounding the roar of a lion,
crushing groups of ford-worshippers?

Who is not pleased after seeing
all the gods including Brahmā
come all the way from Brahmā’s world,
asking Buddha subtle questions?

Who is not pleased after seeing
the world with its gods imploring,
both hands pressed together for him,
enjoying merit due to that?

Who is not pleased after seeing
all the people come together,
attending on the Eyeful One?
Invited, he does not waver.

Who is not pleased after seeing
numerous drums bellowing, and
rutting elephants trumpeting,
when he’s entering the city?

Who is not pleased after seeing
the All-Bright One always shining,
and raised spots becoming level,
when he is going on the road?

Who is not pleased after seeing
him instructing every being,
being heard throughout the cosmos,
when the Blessed One is speaking?”

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I praised the Buddha like that,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of praising him.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

Being in Best 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 Sayampaṭibhāṇiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sayampaṭibhāṇiya Thera is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters.

Whitman College, 2017

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