504. {507.} Ajelaphaladāyaka (THA-AP509)

The Sambuddha named Ajjuna
lived in the Himalayas then,
he Endowed with Good Behavior,
Skilled in Meditation, the Sage.

Taking a water-jug’s worth of
ajela, jīvajīvaka,
and taking umbrella-leaves too,
I gave them to the Teacher then.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave him that fruit at that time,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of giving fruit.

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 Ajelaphaladāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ajelaphaladāyaka 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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