84. Adhopupphiya (THA-AP86)

The chief follower of Sikhi
was the monk known as Abhibhū,
with vast powers, a three-fold knower,
he went to the Himalayas.

Back then I too was living in
the Himalayas, as a sage,
master of boundless magic power,
in a delightful ashram there.

Flying like a bird in the sky,
I felt drawn to a mountain-side.
Picking some flowers down below
I then came up to the mountain.

Taking seven flowers I placed them
on the top of Abhibhū’s head.
When the hero then looked forward
I departed facing the east.

Having arrived at my ashram
I went up to my dwelling there.
Taking ascetics’ provisions
I returned to that mountain-side.

A python with a frightful form,
and very strong, attacked me then.
Remembering my former deed
I passed away right on the spot.

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

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

Thus indeed Venerable Adhopupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Adhopupphiya 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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