In the city, Haṁsavatī,
I was a gate-keeper back then.
Undisturbable, boundless wealth
was heaped up for me in the house.While sitting down in solitude,
having greatly gladdened my mind,
seated in the splendid palace,
I contemplated thus back then:“Much wealth has been obtained by me;
I have an opulent harem.
King Ānanda, lord of the earth,
himself invited me to come.And now this Buddha has been born,
the Spontaneously Born Sage.
And all this wealth exists for me;
I will give gifts to the Teacher.The royal prince, named Paduma,
gave splendid gifts for the Victor:
strong elephants and palanquins
and large supports to hold them up.I’ll also give gifts to the monks
with virtue supremely splendid.
I will be the instigator
of other things not yet given.”Thinking through varied donations
of which the fruit is happiness,
I lit on a requisites-gift,
which would fulfill my intentions:“I shall donate the requisites
for the monks of splendid virtue.
I will be the instigator
of other things not yet given.”Approaching the basket-makers,
I made an umbrella to last,
bringing together into one,
a hundred thousand umbrellas.I brought together into one,
a hundred thousand strips of cloth,
I brought together into one,
a hundred thousand begging bowls.And also small knives and hatchets,
needles and clippers for the nails.
Having them made fit for that I
hung them beneath the umbrella.I had fans made fit for that too,
fans made out of palmyra fronds,
peacock-feathers and tails of yaks;
water-strainers, oil-containers.I likewise had made, fit for that,
needle-cases and shoulder straps
as well as girdles for the waist
and also well-constructed stools.Filling vessels made for eating
and also copper oil beakers
with medicines, I fixed those too
on the umbrella’s underside.I filled vessels with all of this:
sweet-flag, cuscus grass, licorice,
pepper, also black peppercorns,
myrobalan and ginger too.I likewise had made, fit for that,
shoes for the feet, and sandals too,
towels to use after bathing,
and well-constructed walking-sticks.Tubes for holding herbs and ointments,
sticks of caustic, pots to keep things,
locks with their keys and key-cases
sewn with cloth of the five colors.I likewise had made, fit for that,
bandages and also smoke-tubes,
lamp-holders and water-vessels,
and baskets woven of wicker.I likewise had made, fit for that,
tweezers to pull, scissors to cut,
bags for containing medicines
and tools for removing ear-wax.I likewise had made, fit for that,
and fixed beneath that umbrella,
long benches as well as short chairs
and couches fashioned with four legs.I likewise had made, fit for that,
wool cushions and cotton cushions,
cushions fashioned for the small chairs
and very well made pillows too;massaging stones and honeycombs,
and oil for warming up the hands,
small cases, planks and needles too,
and a bed that was spread with rugs,dwelling places and foot-towels
and sticks to use for chairs and beds,
toothpicks and also good tooth-sticks,
and scents for smearing on the head,wood for fires and stools made of straw,
small plates for covering alms-bowls,
ladles which are made for water,
silver troughs for storing chunnam,brooms and water-jugs and likewise
garments to wear when it’s raining,
covers for the itch when sitting
and intermediate robes too,monastic robes and upper robes,
cleaners for the mouth and the nose,
abundant salt and sour gruel,
honey and soured milk to drink,incense, lumps of boiled rice, and rags,
napkins with which to wipe the face:
whatever ought to be given
which is fitting for the Teacher,
after assembling all of that
I went up to King Ānanda.
After going up to the king,
the father of the Greatest Sage,
having saluted with my head,
I spoke these words to him back then:Protagonist:
“Together we were born and raised;
we are both of a single mind,
and in common we both follow
one course through happiness and pain.”King:
“O conqueror of foes you have
dissatisfaction in the mind.
If you can, warrior, you should
remove that dissatisfaction.Your dissatisfaction is mine;
we are both of a single mind.
Know mine as ‘eliminated’
if yours has been expelled as well.”Protagonist:
“Know of me, O great king, that my
suffering is hard to remove.
If you’re able you should shout it:one boon hard for you to grant me.”
King:
“As long as I have victory,
to the whole extent of my life,
if it would be useful to you,
without wavering I’ll give it.”Protagonist:
“This has been roared by you O king,
but too much roaring would be wrong.”
King:
“Today I’ll recognize you as
the one supported in all things.”Protagonist:
“When you know what I want to give
you’ll obdurately put me down.”King:
“What’s the point of me stopping you?
You should declare your wish to me!”Protagonist:
“I am desirous, O great king,
of feeding him, the Sambuddha,
the Best Buddha, the Unexcelled;
do not let my life be wasted!”King:
“I’ll give a different boon to you:
the Thus-Gone-One’s not to be begged;
to no one should the Thus-Gone-One
be given, like a wishing-gem.”Protagonist:
“O king did you not just say that
you’d even give me your own life?
The Thus-Gone-One is fit to give
by one giving his very life.”King:
“The Great Hero is kept apart;
to no one should he be given.
The Buddha’s not promised by me;
choose limitless riches instead.”Protagonist:
“Let us arrive at a judgement;
we’ll question in a court of law.
They will declare the proper path;
we will inquire about it thus.”Having taken the king in hand,
I then went to the court of law.
There, in front of all the judges,
I spoke these words to them back then:Protagonist:
“Listen to me, O you judges:
the king did give a boon to me.
Without excepting anything
he offered even his own life.When he had given me that boon,
I wished for the Best of Buddhas.
The Buddha’s well-given to me;
otherwise I am full of doubt.”Judges:
“We’ll listen to these words of yours
and of the earth-protecting king.
Listening to the words of both
we shall cut off all of your doubts.O king, did you give everything,\
to this man, all-inclusively,
without excepting anything,
and offer even your own life?”King:
“Fallen into misery, he
requested an unexcelled boon.
Knowing him to be so upset,
I gave it, all-inclusively.”Judges:
“You are defeated here, O king;
the Thus-Gone-One should be given.
The doubts of both have been cut off;
stand firm in this, the proper path.”Protagonist/narrator:
The king being put in his place
then said these words to the judges:King:
“Fair to me too you should return
him; again I’ll get the Buddha.”Judges, to protagonist:
“Having fulfilled your intentions,
after feeding the Thus-Gone-One,
you should return the Sambuddha
to King Ānanda of great fame.”Protagonist:
Having saluted the judges
and also the king, Ānanda,
then happy, being delighted,
I went up to the Sambuddha.Having approached the Sambuddha,
the Flood-Crosser, the Undefiled,
after saluting with my head,
I spoke these words to him back then:“Give your consent, O Eyeful One,
causing my heart to start laughing;
approach my residence along
with the hundred thousand masters.”Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
the Eyeful One gave his consent,
discerning what I was thinking.Perceiving that he gave consent,
after saluting the Teacher,
happy, with rapture in my heart,
I went up to my residence.Assembling friends and ministers
I spoke these words to them back then:
“I got what’s very hard to get,
just like a wish-fulfilling gem.”Friends and Ministers:
“With what then will we worship him?
The Victor is the Boundless One,
Beyond Compare, Unmatched, Hero,
Unmeasurable, Unequaled.”And thus also Always the Same,
Without a Second, Bull of Men.
Service that’s hard for you to do
is suitable for the Buddha.Assembling varied flowers let
us make a floral pavilion.
That is what befits the Buddha;
there will be everything-pūjā.”Protagonist:
I made that pavilion out of
blue lotuses, pink lotuses,
jasmine and atimuttaka,
champak and ironwood flowers.I spread one hundred thousand seats,
which were shaded with umbrellas.
The meanest seat, reserved for me,
was superb and worth one hundred.I spread one hundred thousand seats,
which were shaded with umbrellas.
After preparing food and drink,
I announced the time to begin.When I announced that it was time,
the Great Sage, Padumuttara,
then arrived at my residence
with the hundred thousand masters.The Supreme Person then sat down,
with the hundred thousand masters,
on the flowery floral stage
with the umbrella borne on top.In proper form and without flaws,
the Eyeful One did then accept
the hundred thousand umbrellas,
and too the hundred thousand seats.Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
wishing to ferry me across,
accepted those things, the Great Sage.One for every one of the monks,
I gifted an alms-bowl to each.
They put down their previous bowls;
I carried to each a bronze bowl.Seven nights and days the Buddha
sat in the floral pavilion.
Awakening many beings,
he turned the wheel of the Teaching.While he was preaching his sermon,
eighty-four thousand beings then
beneath the floral pavilion
gained insight into the Teaching.When the seventh day had arrived,
Padumuttara, the Great Sage,
spoke these verses to the crowd
from his umbrella-shaded seat:Padumuttara Buddha:
“I’ll relate details of this man
who gave to me, lacking nothing,
this most excellent offering;
all of you listen to my words:Tusker, solider, chariot, horse:
a four-fold army he will get;
they will wait on him constantly:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.Palanquins too, which have been hitched
to elephants and to horses,
will always be on hand for him:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.And sixty thousand chariots,
all decorated and adorned,
will constantly wait on this man:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.Sixty thousand instruments and
well-decorated kettle-drums
will constantly make sound for him:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.And women too, all well-made-up
numbering eight-six thousand,
with varied clothes and jewelry,
wearing earrings bearing gemstones,with long eyelashes, lovely smiles
and slim waists, pleasant to look at,
constantly will wait on this man:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.For thirty thousand aeons he
will delight in the world of gods.
A thousand times the lord of gods,
he will exercise divine rule.One thousand times he’s going to be
a king who turns the wheel of law,
and he will have much local rule,
innumerable by counting.While he, endowed with good karma,
is dwelling in the world of gods,
a gem-umbrella will be carried
around the world of gods for him.Whenever he should wish for shade,
a cloth and flower canopy,
recognizing this man’s wishes,
will constantly give shade to him.Falling from the world of the gods,
incited by his wholesome roots,
in accordance with his karma,
he’ll be a kinsman of Brahmā.In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world.Seated in the monks’ Assembly,
Gotama, Bull of the Śākyans,
will place him in the foremost place
of understanding everything.He’ll be the teacher’s follower
by the name Pilindavaccha.
He’ll be honored by all the gods,
the titans and music-nymphs.Being beloved by all of them,
the Buddhist monks and Buddhist nuns,
and likewise too the laypeople,
he will dwell without defilements.”Protagonist:
Karma done a hundred thousand
aeons hence showed me its fruit here:
well-liberated, arrow-quick,
I have destroyed my defilements.O! My karma was done so well
in the unsurpassed merit-field.
Having done that act in that place
I’ve attained the unshaking state.A man who gave an excellent
offering, which lacked for nothing,
did take precedence from the start:
that’s the fruit of that offering.Giving umbrellas for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma:I’m not aware of cold nor heat,
I am not soiled with dirt and dust,
I am safe, free of oppression,
and I am honored all the time.I am a person with soft skin,
my mind is always very clear,
and except for this present birth,
as I transmigrate in the world,
one hundred thousand umbrellas
with all the ornaments affixed
are carried up above my head,
as a result of that karma.Why do I lack in this lifetime
such bearing of an umbrella?
Because by doing all deeds I’m
under nirvana’s umbrella.Giving clothes for the Well-Gone-One
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma:As I transmigrate in the world,
I have an unblemished body,
golden in color, beautiful,
endowed with majesty, and smooth.A hundred thousand strips of cloth,
white and yellow and also red
are carried up above my head:
that is the fruit of giving cloth.Silk cloth and woolen blankets too,
khoma and also cotton cloth:
I am getting them everywhere,
as a result of giving them.Giving bowls for the Well-Gone-One
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience ten results,
in accordance with my karma:I am always eating food on
plates of gold and plates of crystal,
also plates fashioned in silver
and plates which are made of ruby.I am safe, free of oppression,
and I am honored all the time.
I’m in receipt of food and drink,
clothes and couches to rest upon.My possessions do not run out;
I’m one who has a steady heart.
I’m always fond of the Teaching,
have few flaws and am undefiled.In the world of gods or of men,
these virtues follow after me.
Everywhere shade does not leave me,
as though I were beneath a tree.Having given the Best Buddha,
and likewise the monks’ Assembly,
numerous well-made types of knives,
bound with diverse styles of binding,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma:I am a god, and do not shake,
perfected in self-confidence,
have courage and virility,
and my mind is always alert.As a result of giving them,
I am receiving everywhere
knowledge which cuts off defilement
and fine merit without measure.With pleasure in my heart I gave
for the Buddha and for the monks,
many scissors which were not rough
nor uneven, and were well-washed.
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma:I receive due to giving them:
a pure heart and virility,
patience, the loving-kindness sword,
and the supreme wisdom-weapon
for breaking the craving-arrow:
knowledge as strong as a diamond.Giving needles for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma:Transmigrating from birth to birth,
I’m always worshipped, free of doubt,
very handsome, endowed with wealth,
and my wisdom is very sharp.I see with knowledge of the facts
profound and subtle conditions.
My knowledge dispels all darkness,
just like a supreme thunder-bolt.Giving clippers for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma:Everywhere indeed I receive
slave-girls and slaves, cows and horses,
servants and numerous watchmen,
barbers, food-providers and cooks.Giving fans for the Well-Gone-One
and fans made of palmyra-fronds,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma:I’m not aware of cold nor heat,
and burning fever is not known.
I don’t experience distress
nor torments which would scorch my heart.All my fires have been extinguished
as the result of giving that:
the fire of lust and fire of hate,
the fires of pride and of wrong views.Giving peacock plumes and ox-tails
for the monks, supreme assembly,
I’m one whose defilements are calmed;
I am dwelling free of blemish.Giving strainers for the Buddha
and the monks who do the Teaching,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.Passing beyond all the others,
I receive a divine lifespan.
There’s always little to endure
from thieves or other enemies.There is also no trouble done
by weapons nor by poisoning,
There is no untimely death as
the result of my giving them.Giving oil-containers for the
Buddha and also for the monks,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma:I have a very charming form,
good speech and lofty intentions;
I have a mind that’s not confused,
I’m guarded by all protections.Giving needle-cases for the
Buddha and also for the monks,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma:Pleasure in my mind and body
and pleasure born through the senses:
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of giving that.Giving shoulder straps for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma:I know the Great Teaching in depth;
I recall the second lifetime;
in every place I have good skin
as a result of giving that.Giving girdles for the Victor
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience six results,
in accordance with my karma:Steadfast in meditative states,
I dwell in meditative states;
I’m in a group without factions,
my words are always taken well.Mindfulness arises in me;
I do not ever get frightened.
In the world of gods or of men,
these virtues follow after me.Giving stools for the Victor and
the monks who have splendid virtue,
I’m an heir with five different kinds;
I’m not shaken by anything.Whatever Teachings, heard by me,
arouse knowledge and mindfulness,
kept in my mind they don’t get lost,
becoming very well-discerned.Having given vessels and food
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma:I’m receiving eating vessels
made of gold and made of gemstones,
likewise vessels made of crystal
and even those made of rubies.I always have things to enjoy:
wives and slaves and slave-girls too,
tusker-horse-chariot-soldier,
and the women are devoted.I always have things to enjoy;
I observe all forms of learning:
ancient lore and Vedic mantras
and many varied disciplines.Giving plates for the Well-Gone-One
and for the monks, the supreme group,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma.I am receiving costly plates
made of gold and made of gemstones,
likewise vessels made of crystal
and even those made of rubies.I am also receiving plates,
made of Bodhi leaves, made of gourds,
and likewise made of lotus leaves,
and of shells for drinking honey.As a result of giving that,
these virtues also are received:
good conduct in vows for virtue,
and with respect to good manners.Giving medicines for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience ten results,
in accordance with my karma.I’m long-lived, strong and heroic,
beautiful, famous and happy,
free of oppression, also safe,
and I am honored all the time.
I’m not kept apart from loved ones,
as a result of giving that.Giving shoes for the Victor and
monks of supreme splendid virtue,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma.First, palanquins which have been hitched
to elephants and to horses,
numbering in all six million,
are waiting on me all the time.As I transmigrate in the world,
sandals made of gems and of wool,
also made of gold and silver
come to be; they lift up my feet.They are running toward the right way
and purify guilty conduct.
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of giving that.Giving sandals for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
having put on magic sandals,
I reside according to wish.Giving napkins to wipe the face
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.Golden-colored and unblemished,
beautiful and endowed with strength,
my body is very smooth and
I am not soiled with dirt and dust.
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of giving that.Giving walking-sticks for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience six results,
in accordance with my karma.Numerous sons are born to me,
I do not ever get frightened;
there’s always little to endure,
I’m guarded by all protections.
I do not know any failure;
my mind is not out of control.Having given herbs and ointments
for Buddha and the supreme monks,
I experience eight results
in accordance with my karma.I’m one whose eyes are always large,
whether they’re white, yellow or red.
My eyes are unsullied and clear
and they are free of all disease.I am receiving “divine eye,”
the unsurpassed eye of wisdom.
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of giving that.Giving keys for the Well-Gone-One
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I’m receiving the knowledge-key
which unlocks the door of Dhamma.Giving key-cases for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience two results,
in accordance with my karma:
as I transmigrate in the world,
there’s little anger, no sorrow.Giving bandages for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.Steadfast in meditative states,
I dwell in meditative states;
I’m in a group without factions,
my words are always taken well.
As I transmigrate in the world,
there’s great wealth of possessions.Giving smoke-tubes for the Victor
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma.My conscience is never crooked,
and my muscles are well-defined;
I’m receiving the “divine eye”
as a result of giving that.Giving lamp-plates for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience three results,
in accordance with my karma.I’m well-born, have a good body,
and I am wise, revered as smart.
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of giving that.Giving vessels and baskets for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience ten results,
in accordance with my karma.I’m always guarded, have great fame,
and happiness, likewise my state;
I’m devoted, and delicate,
and kept away from all distress.I’m a recipient of great
qualities for my occupation,
of vessels and of baskets too;
I’m one whose troubles are removed.I’m receiving the four colors
of elephants, horses and gems.
Those things do not ever run out:
that’s the fruit in vessel-giving.Giving tubes for storing ointment
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.All the time I have a body
endowed with all auspicious marks,
fitted with long life and wisdom,
liberated from all sorrows.Giving scissors which were slender
and very sharp too for the monks,
I get the knowledge, unmatched and
pure, which cuts off the defilements.Giving tweezers for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I get the knowledge, unmatched and
pure, which pulls out the defilements.Giving nose-cleaners for Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma.I have faith and morality,
shame, the virtue of fearing sin,
I’m happy, generous, patient,
and wisdom is my eighth virtue.Giving short chairs for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.I’m born in an eminent clan,
I become a very rich man,
everyone is honoring me,
glory is arising for me.For one hundred thousand aeons
palanquins atop four horses
are constantly waiting on me,
enjoying giving them away.Giving cushions for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience six results,
in accordance with my karma.My body is proportional,
I’m honored, gentle, good-looking,
I get an entourage that’s smart:
that’s the fruit of giving cushions.Cotton mattresses and varied
coverlets of wool and of silk;
I receive various sorts of
fine hemp cloth and woolen blankets.And cloaks which are soft on the skin,
and soft leather and bamboo ones;
I am receiving varied rugs:
that’s the fruit of giving cushions.As far back as I remember,
ever since I reached discretion,
not vain, meditation’s my bed:
that’s the fruit of giving cushions.Giving pillows for the Victor
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience six results,
in accordance with my karma.I am being cushioned upon
pillows made of wool and lotus
and also of red sandalwood;
I have an outstanding body.The excellent Eightfold Path and
the four fruits that come from monkhood:
knowledge of these is brought to me
and I dwell there all of the time.Giving, taming, and self-control;
and the four forms of boundlessness:
knowledge of these is brought to me
and I dwell there all of the time.Vows and virtues and practices,
also the types of good manners:
knowledge of these is brought to me
and I dwell there every day.Walking back and forth or striving;
exertion which leads to wisdom:
knowledge of these is brought to me;
I dwell according to my wish.Morality, meditation
and wisdom, unsurpassed freedom:
knowledge of these is brought to me
and I dwell full of happiness.Giving straw stools for the Victor
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience four results,
in accordance with my karma.I’m finding the best palanquins,
made of gold and made of gemstones,
made of ivory and fine wood:
that’s the fruit of stools made of straw.Giving footstools for the Victor
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience two results,
in accordance with my karma.I receive many vehicles:
that is the fruit of a footstool.
Slave-girls and slaves and also wives
and all my other dependents
do properly look after me:
that is the fruit of a footstool.Giving oils for anointing
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.Lack of illness, having beauty,
and quickly grasping the Teaching,
receiving of much food and drink,
and long life is the fifth for me.Giving clarified butter for
monks of supreme, splendid virtue,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.I am strong, endowed with beauty,
always happy and born slender.
I am free of disease, and pure:
that is the fruit of giving ghee.Giving cleaners for the mouth for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,
in accordance with my karma.I have a clean throat and sweet sound,
I am free of coughs of asthma,
and the scent of blue lotuses
is always wafting from my mouth.Giving well-prepared milk-curds for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I’m enjoying ambrosial things
and mindfulness of my body.Giving honey with color, scent
and taste for Buddha and the group,
I now drink the juice of freedom,
which is unmatched, beyond compare.Giving actual juice for the
Buddha and for the supreme group,
I experience the four fruits,
in accordance with my karma.Having given food and drink for
the Buddha and the supreme group
I experience ten results,
in accordance with my karma.I am always long-lived and strong,
a hero, beautiful, famous
and happy; a recipient
of food and drink, courageous, smart.
As I transmigrate in the world,
I am receiving these virtues.Giving incense for the Buddha
and the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience ten results,
in accordance with my karma.My body smells good, I’m famous,
quick-thinking as well as clever;
I have sharp, extensive wisdom;
I have bright and deep wisdom.As I transmigrate in the world,
I have wide and alert wisdom.
Now, because of giving that, I’ve
attained auspicious, happy peace.My being in 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!
Thus indeed Venerable Pilindavaccha Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Pilindavaccha Thera is finished.