When Vipassi’s dispensation
arose, I made a single cave
in Bandhumā, royal city,
for the monks in four directions.Covering the floor of the cave
with rugs, I dedicated it.
Happy, with rapture in my heart,
I then made this aspiration:“Were I to please a Sambuddha
and to get to renounce the world,
I should attain ultimate peace
and the unexcelled nirvana.”Just because of those good roots,
transmigrating ninety aeons,
born as a god or else a man,
I shined, a doer of merit.As the remainder of that deed,
here in this final existence,
I was born as the only son
of Campa’s foremost millionaire.Having heard that I had been born,
this was the wish of my father:
“I am giving to this young boy
an entire two hundred million.”Hair four fingers wide was produced
on the soles of both of my feet.
It was fine and soft to the touch,
beautiful, just like cotton wool.In the past for ninety aeons,
and this aeon one more than that,
I’ve not come to know my feet placed
on any ground that lacks a rug.The Sambuddha was pleased by me;
I went forth into homelessness.
I have attained arahantship;
cooled off, I am in nirvana.Appointed by the All-Seer
“foremost among resolute monks,”
I’m undefiled, an arahant,
six knowledge-holder, powerful.In the ninety-one aeons since
I gave the Buddha that gift then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving a cave.Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!Soṇa Koṭivisa Thera
in front of the monks’ Assembly,
being asked questions then answered
on the great Lake Anotatta.
Thus indeed Venerable Soṇakoṭivīsa Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Soṇakoṭivīsa Thera is finished.