97. Madhupiṇḍika (THA-AP99)

In a quiet and trouble-free
forest grove, I once having seen
Siddhattha the Sage, the Supreme,
Sacrificial Recipient,

Gone-Out-One, the Great Elephant,
Bull of Men, like a thoroughbred,
shining forth like the morning star,
praised by the assembly of gods,
much happiness arose in me;
knowledge came into being then.

Giving honey to the Teacher
who’d risen from meditation,
and worshipping the Teacher’s feet,
I departed facing the east.

Then thirty-four aeons ago
I was the king, Sudassana;
sweet honey flowed from lotus roots
whenever I was eating them.
And it rained a rain of honey:
that’s the fruit of former karma.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave him that honey back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving honey.

And thirty-four aeons ago
there were four named Sudassana,
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 Madhupiṇḍika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Madhupiṇḍika 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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