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tha-ap.429 Thera Apadana

Ekadhammasavanīya

The Victor, Padumuttara,
was the Master of Everything.
While preaching the Four Noble Truths,
he ferried many folks across.

A matted-haired ascetic then,
I practiced fierce austerities.
Throwing off my clothes made of bark,
I traveled in the sky back then.

I am not then able to go
over him, the Best of Buddhas.
Like a bird that has struck a rock,
I am unable to proceed.

Having walked upon the water,
so I am flying through the sky.
Previously my behavior
never had been interrupted.

“Well now I’ll investigate that.
I might get some small benefit.”
Descending from the sky I then
heard the sweet sound of the Teacher,
who was preaching impermanence
with a voice that was enticing,
good to listen to, beautiful.
I took up that Teaching back then.

Having perceived impermanence,
I went back to my hermitage.
Remaining as long as I lived,
I later passed away right there.

In subsequent existences,
I recalled hearing the Teaching.
Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.

For thirty thousand aeons I
delighted in the world of gods,
and fifty-one times while there, I
exercised rule over the gods.

And twenty-one times I was then
a king who turns the wheel of law.
And I enjoyed much local rule,
innumerable by counting.

I enjoyed my own good karma,
being happy from birth to birth.
Recalling that perception, I
transmigrated from birth to birth.
I do not comprehend the end,
nirvana, the eternal state.

Sitting down in my father’s house,
a monk with senses well-controlled
was then explaining this sermon,
spoken about impermanence:

“In flux indeed is all that is;
things that arise and then decline
are being born and then dying;
happy is the relief from them.”

Right after having heard that verse,
I recalled my past perception.
Sitting down on a single seat,
I attained my arahantship.

When only seven years of age,
I attained my arahantship.
The Buddha himself ordained me:
the fruit of hearing the Teaching.

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I heard the Teaching back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of hearing the Teaching.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!

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

Thus indeed Venerable Ekadhammasavanīya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekadhammasavanīya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala