buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.33 Thera Apadana

Kuṇḍadhāna

With a pleased heart and happy mind
I went up to the Best Buddha,
the Self-Become One, Top Person,
who had spent a week secluded.

Discerning the time when he’d rise,
I approached the Sage So Great then,
Padumuttara, carrying
a big sheaf of banana fruits.

The Blessed One, World-Chief, Great Sage,
accepting that fruit I gave him,
brought great pleasure to my heart then,
by eating it all at that time.

Having eaten, the Sambuddha,
Peerless One, Caravan-Leader,
then sitting down on his own seat
did speak these verses about me:

“Let those spirits who are living
in the forest on this mountain,
together with those from the past
and future, listen to my words.

I shall relate the details of
this one who served the Buddha well,
like a lion, king of the beasts;
all of you listen to my words:

This one will be a king of gods
in the future eleven times.
And thirty-four times he will be
a king who turns the wheel of law.

In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world.

Having cursed some Buddhist monks,
arahants who are virtuous then,
as the result of that bad deed
he will receive an ugly name.

Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma,
Dhamma’s legitimate offspring,
he’ll be Gotama’s follower
known by the name Kuṇḍadhāna.

Binding myself to solitude,
meditator, trance-lover,
satisfying the Teacher, now
I‘m living without defilements.

Honored by the monks’ Assembly,
the top followers around him,
Buddha sat in that Assembly
and had me take the ticket there.

Putting my robe on one shoulder
and worshipping the World-Leader,
in front of the Best Debater
I took the first such ticket then.

Due to that act, the Blessed One,
Who Makes the Ten-Thousand Worlds Quake
sitting in the monks’ Assembly
did place me in that foremost place.

My effort bearing the burden
brought me release from attachments.
Now I’m bearing my last body
in the Buddha’s dispensation.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Kuṇḍadhāna Thera spoke these verses.

The Legend of Venerable Kuṇḍadhāna Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala