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tha-ap.144 Thera Apadana

Thambāropaka

When the World’s Lord reached nirvana,
Dhammadassi, the Bull of Men,
I placed a pillar with banners
at the Best Buddha’s stupa then.

After constructing a stairway
I climbed up that best stupa there.
Taking a white jasmine flower
I placed it on that pillar then.

O! the Buddha! O! the Teaching!
O! our Teacher’s great achievement!
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of stupa-pūjā.

In the ninety-fourth aeon hence
there were sixteen different monarchs
known by the name Thūpasikha,
wheel-turning kings with great power.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Thambāropaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Thambāropaka Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala