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tha-ap.244 Thera Apadana

Nāgakesariya

Gathering both ends of a bow,
I entered into the forest.
I saw a small lake gathered there,
very clean and full of flowers.

Plucking one with both of my hands
and saluting on my forehead,
I then offered it to Tissa,
the Buddha, Kinsman of the World.

In the ninety-two aeons since
I did pūjā with that flower,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

In the seventy-seventh aeon,
I was named Pamokkharaṇa,
a wheel-turning king with great strength,
possessor 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 Nāgakesariya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nāgakesariya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala