57. Pañcadīpika (THA-AP59)

After praising the true Teaching
of Buddha Padumuttara
who took pity on all creatures,
I was one who had upright views.

I donated a gift of lamps
to surround the great Bodhi Tree.
Believing in the Buddha I
then lit those lamps all of the time.

In whichever womb I’m reborn
whether it’s human or divine,
torches are carried in the sky:
that is the fruit of giving lamps.

Right through walls, also right through rocks,
and passing over mountain-tops,
I can see in all directions
even one hundred leagues distant.

Through the rest of that good karma
I have attained arahantship.
I’m bearing my last body in
the Biped-Lord’s dispensation.

Thirty-four hundred aeons thence
I was known as Satacakkhu;
I was a king with great power,
a wheel-turner who had great strength.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Pañcadīpika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Pañcadīpika 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.

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