69. Sumana (THA-AP71)

I was a garland-maker then,
known by the name of Sumana.
I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
Sacrificial Recipient.

Having taken, with both my hands,
an exquisite jasmine flower,
I paid homage to the Buddha,
Sikhi, the Kinsman of the World.

By means of that flower-pūjā,
with intention and firm resolve,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

In the thirty-one aeons since
I presented him that flower,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

In the twenty-fifth aeon hence
there were four men of great glory;
all of them were wheel-turning kings,
possessors of the seven gems.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Sumana Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sumana 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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Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.