In the city, Haṁsavatī,
I was in charge of the roadways.
Calling my kinsfolk together,
I spoke these words to them back then:“The Buddha’s been born in the world,
the Unsurpassed Field of Merit,
the Foundation for Every World,
Sacrificial Recipient.The kṣatriyans and city folk,
the rich people and the brahmins,
happy, with pleasure in their hearts,
have formed themselves into a guild.Those on elephants, royal guards,
charioteers and foot-soldiers
happy, with pleasure in their hearts,
have formed themselves into a guild.The mighty lords and the princes,
Vaiśyas as well as the brahmins,
happy, with pleasure in their hearts,
have formed themselves into a guild.The cooks and those who dress the hair,
the bath boys, the garland-makers,
happy, with pleasure in their hearts,
have formed themselves into a guild.The dyers, also the weavers,
the tanners, also the bath girls,
happy, with pleasure in their hearts,
have formed themselves into a guild.The fletchers, the leather workers,
carpenters and workers in gold,
tinsmiths, also makers of mats,
have formed themselves into a guild.Hired servants and musicians,
and numerous slaves and servants,
to the extent of their own strength,
have formed themselves into a guild.Water-bringers, wood-gatherers,
tillers, also grass-carriers,
to the extent of their own strength,
have formed themselves into a guild.Florists and gardeners as well,
green-grocers and fruit-carriers,
to the extent of their own strength
have formed themselves into a guild.Harlots, slave-girls who bring water,
women who sell cakes or sell fish,
to the extent of their own strength,
have formed themselves into a guild.Come you all, gathered together,
let us too form, as one, a group;
let us now perform service for
the Unsurpassed Field of Merit.”They, having listened to my words,
formed a group to last for all time
and built a well-built meeting-hall
for those in the monks' Assembly.After dedicating that hall,
elated with a happy mind,
surrounded by all of those folks,
I went up to the Sambuddha.Having approached the Sambuddha,
the Lord of the World, Bull of Men,
and worshipping the Teacher’s feet,
I spoke these words to him back then:“These three hundred people, Hero,
together as one in a group,
have appointed for you, O Sage,
this well-constructed meeting-hall.”The Eyeful One, accepting it
in front of the monks’ Assembly,
the Buddha spoke these verses then,
in front of my three hundred folks:“Three hundred and this best one too,
conforming together as one,
having made this great achievement,
you all are going to enjoy it.When your last rebirth is attained,
you all will achieve nirvana,
the state of coolness, unsurpassed,
unborn, undying peacefulness.”The Buddha prophesied like that,
the Omniscient One, Best of Monks,
and having heard the Buddha’s words,
I declared my own mental bliss.For thirty thousand aeons I
delighted in the world of gods.
Five hundred times the lord of gods,
I exercised divine rule there.One thousand times I also was
a king who turns the wheel of law.
While exercising divine rule
the great gods all then worshipped me.Here, in this human kingdom, my
relatives are my retinue.
When my last rebirth was attained
there was a brahmin, Vāseṭṭha,
with eight hundred million in wealth;
I was born as the son of him.
My given name at birth was “Sela,”
a master of Vedic science.I, wandering about on foot,
waited on by my own students,
saw Keniya the ascetic
with matted hair, wearing ashes,
prepared to do a sacrifice.
Having seen him I spoke these words:Sela:
“Bringing a wife? Going to one?
Or have you invited the king?I want to do sacrifices
for brahmins who think like the gods,
but I’m not invited by kings
and have not found a sacrifice.”Keniya:
“There is no bringing brides for me;
I do not go to brides either.
The one I’ve invited today
is Best in the world with its gods,
the Delighter of the Śākyans
who Brings Happiness to Beings
out of Friendship for All Creatures;
these preparations are for him.The Bright Hue of Wild Mangosteen,
Incomparable, Unmeasurable,
the Buddha, Unrivaled in Form,
is invited for tomorrow.Like beaten gold atop a forge
burning bright like cedar charcoal,
the Great Hero’s like lightening bolts—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Like fire burning on a mountain,
like the moon on the fifteenth day,
the same color as burning reeds—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Fearless, Overcomer of Fear,
the Existence-Ender, the Sage,
The Great Hero’s like a lion—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Skillful in the Buddha’s Teaching,
little to endure from others,
Great Hero’s like an elephant—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Skilled in doing the Great Teaching,
the Unmatched, Buddha-elephant,
the Great Hero is like a bull—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Of Endless Beauty, Boundless Fame,
Bearing all the Various Marks,
the Great Hero is like Indra—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Strong One, Whose Group is Powerful,
Majestic One, Hard to Approach,
The Great Hero is like Brahmā—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Teaching-Reacher, Ten-Powered One,
Master of Surpassing Power,
the Great Hero is like the earth—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Full of waves called morality,
churning knowledge of the Teaching,
the Great Hero is like the sea—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Hard to Approach, Hard to Subdue,
Unshaken, Risen Up, Lofty,
the Great Hero’s like Mt. Meru—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Of Endless Knowledge, Impartial,
Unmeasurable, Gone to the Top,
the Great Hero is like the sky—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Support for Those with Fears and Frights,
Protection for Refuge-Seekers,
the Great Hero Provides Comfort—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.The Abode of Wisdom and Spells,
Merit-Field for happiness-Seekers
the Great Hero, the Mine of Gems—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Comforter, the Awe-Inspirer,
Giver of the Fruit of Monkhood,
the Great Hero is like a cloud—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.The Eye of the World, the Hero,
Dispeller of Every Darkness,
the Great Hero is like the sun—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Sage, Seer of the Nature of
Emancipations from Objects,
the Great Hero is like the moon—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Venerable, Raised up in the World,
Adorned with the Auspicious Marks,
Unmeasurable, the Great Sage—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.The One Whose Knowledge is Boundless,
Morality beyond Compare,
whose freedom has no parallel,
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Whose courage has no parallel,
whose firmness is unthinkable,
he whose exertion is the best—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.Passion, hatred, stupidity
and every poison is destroyed;
the Great Hero is like a drug—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.There’s removal of the darkness
of all pain, defilement, disease;
the Great Hero’s like a doctor—
I’ve invited him, the Buddha.“Friend, this sound is hard to obtain,
which has been said here, “the Buddha”.
Hearing “the Buddha,” “the Buddha,”
you all should be joyful like me.”Sela:
Not keeping my joy inside me
it poured forth to those outside me.
I, being full of joyful thoughts,
spoke these words to him at that time:“Well then where is that Blessed One,
the World’s Best One, the Bull of Men?
Having gone where will I see this
Giver of the Fruit of Monkhood?”He, taking hold of my right arm,
thrilled, with his hands pressed together,
showed to me the King of Teachings,
who Removes the Arrows of Grief.Keniya:
“Do you see this massive forest,
risen up like a great storm cloud,
dark blue just like collyrium,
as visible as the ocean?The Buddha now is dwelling there,
the Untamed-Tamer, the Great Sage,
instructing those who can be trained,
making known Awakening’s parts.”Sela:
Like the thirsty seeking water,
like the hungry looking for food,
like a cow greedy for its calf,
I went in search of the Victor.Knowing manners and good conduct
I did teach to my own students
going into Buddha’s presence,
restraint in line with the Teaching:‘Blessed Ones are Hard to Approach,
like lions wandering alone,
walking carefully, step by step,
come along after me, O men.As fearful as a snake’s venom,
like a lion, king of the beasts,
like a rutting tusked elephant,
thus Buddhas are Hard to Approach.O men, neglecting any need
that you may have to cough or sneeze,
walking carefully, step by step,
go into the Buddha’s presence.Buddhas are Hard to Go Up To,
they’re Ones who Relish Solitude,
make Little Sound, Hard to Approach,
Revered in the world with its gods.When I am asking him questions,
or exchanging friendly greetings,
then you all should make little sound;
stand there as though you were sages.Which Great Teaching he is preaching,
peaceful, leading to nirvana,
listen to the meaning with care,
happily hearing the Teaching.’”Having approached the Sambuddha
I exchanged greetings with the Sage.
While I was conversing with him,
I looked out for Great Man’s marks.I can see thirty of the marks,
doubting only two of the marks:
through his powers the Sage showed me
his penis enclosed in a sheath.And then the Buddha placed his tongue
into his ear and on his nose.
The Victor touched his forehead’s tip
and covered it all with his tongue.I, seeing his auspicious marks,
fulfilling all the attributes,
concluding that, “he’s a Buddha,”
I went forth with all my students.I went forth into homelessness,
together with the three hundred.
When eight months still had not elapsed,
we all realized nirvana.Together doing good karma
for the Unsurpassed Merit-Field,
together we transmigrated,
together we turned from the world.I gave rafters for that new hall,
remaining within the guild’s rule.
Due to that deed, well done by me,
I’m receiving eight good results.I’m worshipped in all directions,
and I have food that’s ambrosial;
I’m the support of everyone;
I don’t experience terror.I don’t get any diseases,
and I protect my long life-span.
I am one with exquisite skin,
I live in dwellings that I choose.Remaining within the guild’s rule,
the rafters I gave numbered eight.
Following the eighth I received
analysis with Arahantship.All accomplishments accomplished,
duties complete, defilement-free,
I am your son today, Great Sage,
and “Eight Rafters” is now my name.Remaining within the guild’s rule,
the pillars I gave numbered five.
Due to that deed, well done by me,
I’m receiving five good results.I remain unshaken by love,
I do not lack for possessions,
I’m one whose words are taken well,
and likewise I cause no offense.My mind is not out of control,
I’m not shaken by anything,
unstained in the dispensation,
due to that deed, well done by me.I’m respectful, obedient,
duties complete, defilement-free;
I’m your follower, Great Hero,
a venerated monk, O Sage.Making a well-made palanquin,
I then dedicated that hall.
Due to that deed, well done by me,
I’m receiving five good results.I’m born in an eminent clan,
I become a very rich man,
I’m one who achieves all success,
I am not plagued with avarice.In whichever village I wish
my palanquin comes to a rest,
by means of that best palanquin,
I travel according to wish.Because of that palanquin-gift,
I removed all of my darkness.
Sage, this monk, empowered with all
special knowledges, worships you.I performed all of my duties
and the duties of others too.
Because of that well-done deed, I
entered the city of no fear.I gave food to the Buddha and
also that well-completed hall.
Due to that deed, well done by me,
I arrived at that best of states.Those who are tamers in the world,
tame these elephants and horses.
Employing varied punishments
they tame by means of cruelty.Not like that, O Great Hero, do
you tame men and women here.
Not using force, without weapons,
you tame in the supreme taming.Praising the virtues of giving,
you are skilled in preaching, O Sage;
addressing a single question
you freed the three hundred, O Sage.We’re tamed by the charioteer,
well-freed, undefiled, empowered
by all the special knowledges,
quenched in destroying the bases.In the hundred thousand aeons
since I gave that gift at that time,
every fear has been overcome:
that’s the fruit of giving a hall.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 Sela Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Sela Thera is finished.