81. Timirapupphiya (THA-AP83)

On Candabhāgā River’s bank
I was going along the stream
when I saw the Monk sitting there,
the Brilliant One, the Unperturbed.

Having pleased my heart about him
I thought in this way at that time:
“This Crossed One will make others cross;
this Tame One will tame others too.

The Comforted One will console;
the Calmed One will make others calm;
the Freed One will set others free;
the Quenched One will quench others too.”

After reflecting in this way
then picking up a dark flower
I laid it on top of the head
of Siddhattha the Sage so Great.

Pressing both my hands together
and circumambulating him,
having worshipped the Teacher’s feet
I departed there toward the west.

A short time into my journey
a lion was then stalking me.
Going along a precipice,
right there I fell down and I died.

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

In the fifty-sixth aeon hence
there were seven men, greatly famed,
wheel-turning kings with great power,
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 Timirapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Timirapupphiya 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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