buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.134 Thera Apadana

Sudassana

On the Vitattha River’s bank,
there was a fig tree bearing fruit.
While I was searching for that tree
I saw the Leader of the World.

Seeing a pandanus in bloom,
after having cut off a stalk,
I gifted it to the Buddha,
Sikhi, the Kinsman of the World.

“Whatever knowledge you’ve attained
of the eternal, deathless, state,
I sing that knowledge’s praises,
O Best Buddha, O Sage so Great.”

Doing pūjā thus for knowledge,
I then saw the fruiting fig tree;
I have obtained that perception:
that’s the fruit of knowledge-pūjā.

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

In the thirteenth aeon ago
there were twelve named Phaluggata,
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 Sudassana Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sudassana Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala