61. Sakacittaniya (THA-AP63)

Seeing a grove in the forest,
very quiet and undisturbed,
a place for sages’ practices
and receipt of sacrifices,

making a stupa of bamboo
which was strewn with varied flowers,
I then worshipped my creation
as though facing the Sambuddha.

I was king, lord of a country,
possessor of the seven gems.
I delighted in my karma:
that’s the fruit of stupa-pūjā.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I honored him with flowers then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of stupa-pūjā.

Eighty aeons ago I was
possessor of the seven gems,
wheel-turner Anantayasa,
the lord of the four continents.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Sakacittaniya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sakacittaniya 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.