buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.245 Thera Apadana

Naḷinakesariya

I was a water bird who dwelled
within a natural lake there.
Then I saw him, the God of Gods,
when he was flying through the sky.

With a mind that was very clear
I plucked some pollen with my beak
and 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-third aeon
I was one named Satapatta,
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 Naḷinakesariya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Naḷinakesariya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala