56. Saparivārāsana (THA-AP58)

I gave alms-food which was begged for
to Padumuttara Buddha.
Going to the place where he ate,
I scattered jasmine flowers there.

Seated on that seat, the Buddha,
the Top Leader of the Whole World,
the Upright and Attentive One
praised that alms-food which was begged for.

“Just as even a little seed
when planted in a fertile field
will bear completely when it rains
fruit that brings the plowman delight,

so too this alms-food which was begged,
planted in a good field by you;
When you’re reborn in existence
you will be pleased with the fruit then.”

Having said this, the Sambuddha
whose name was that of the lotus,
extolling alms-food which is begged,
then departed facing the north.

Self-controlled in the monks’ precepts
and in the five organs of sense,
being one bound to solitude
I’m living without defilements.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Saparivārāsana Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Saparivārāsana 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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Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.