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tha-ap.151 Thera Apadana

Vaṭaṁsakiya

The Self-Become, Unconquered One,
the Buddha known as Sumedha,
strengthening his separation,
went off into a great forest.

Having seen a sal tree blooming,
I bound up a hair-wreath right then.
Face to face with the World-Leader,
I gave that wreath to the Buddha.

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

In the nineteen-hundredth aeon
there were sixteen named Nimmita,
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 Vaṭaṁsakiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Vaṭaṁsakiya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala