Setting out from the ashram’s door
the Great Sage Padumuttara
was raining the rain of deathlessness
and quenching the population.One hundred thousand Hero monks
strong, with the special knowledges,
were surrounding the Sambuddha
like shadows that never depart.I was on an elephant’s back
with a superb white umbrella.
Having seen his beautiful form
great happiness arose in me.Dismounting from the elephant
I approached him, the Bull of Men,
and raised over the Best Buddha
my umbrella, made of gemstones.Padumuttara, Sage So Great,
discerning what I was thinking,
halting the talk he was giving,
then spoke these verses about me:“He who’s hoisting this umbrella
adorned with ornaments of gold,
I shall relate details of him;
all of you listen to my words:Having gone on from here this man
will dwell in Tusitā heaven.
He’ll experience happiness
being honored by divine nymphs.He will exercise divine rule
four and thirty different times.
One hundred eight times a strong king
he will reside upon the earth.And he’ll be a wheel-turning king
eight and fifty different times.
He will exercise on the earth
uncountable regional reigns.In one hundred thousand aeons
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world.He will be a close relative
of that Flag of the Śākyan Clan.
Ānanda will be his name then,
attendant of the Sage So Great.Ardent striver, intelligent,
and wise in terms of many truths,
humble in action, and yielding,
he’ll recite all the Buddha’s words.Being one bent on exertion,
calmed, devoid of grounds for rebirth,
knowing well all the defilements
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.”There are elephants in the woods,
tuskers who are sixty years old,
mātaṅgas rutting in three ways,
chariot-pole tusks, vehicles for kings.Like them there are numerous lakhs
of wise men with vast superpowers
all of whom are not astonished
at the Buddha-elephant’s might.I worship in the beginning,
in the middle and at the end.
With a pleased heart and happy mind
I attend on the Best Buddha.Ardent striver, intelligent,
one who knows truly, mindful one,
arrived at the stream-enterer-fruit,
skilled in the training-bases, Ibrought forth the karma which I did
one hundred thousand aeons hence.
I have now achieved that station,
firm, unwavering in Dhamma.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 Ānanda Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Ānanda Thera is finished.
The Summary:
The Buddha and the Lonely Buddha
Sāriputta and Kolita
Kassapa and Anuruddha
Puṇṇa Thera and Upāli.
Koṇḍañña and Piṇḍola
and Revata, Ānanda the Wise
Six hundred and fifty verses
adding them all together.
The Buddha Chapter of the Apadāna, the First.