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tha-ap.430 Thera Apadana

Sucintita

In the city, Haṁsavatī,
I was a cultivator then.
I earn my living by farming,
and through it I feed my children.

My field back then was bountiful,
and my grain was producing seed;
when the fruit-bearing time arrived,
I then thought about it like this:

“It’s not right, it is not fitting
for one who knows what’s virtuous,
that without giving to the monks,
I should consume the best of this.

This Buddha’s the Impartial One,
Bearing the Thirty-two Great Marks;
reared by him, the monks’ Assembly
is the unsurpassed merit-field.

I shall give a donation there,
the first of each of the new crop.”
Thinking about it like that, I
was happy, with a gladdened mind.

Then carrying grain from my field,
I went up to the Sambuddha.
Having approached the Sambuddha,
the World’s Best One, the Bull of Men,
and worshipping the Teacher’s feet,
I spoke these words to the Buddha:

“The new crop of grain has prospered;
you’re the Recipient of Gifts.
O Sage, showing me compassion,
please accept it, O Eyeful One.”

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
discerning what I was thinking,
spoke these words to me at that time:

“Four have entered into the path;
four are established in its fruit.
This monks’ Assembly is upright,
settled in wisdom and morals.

Merit done for the good rebirths
of people doing rituals,
beings looking to earn merit,
gifted for the monks, bears great fruit.

The new crop, so too more than that,
is to be given to these monks.
Proposing it, lead monks from the
Assembly to that house of yours.
What has been prepared in your house,
give that to the monks’ Assembly.”

Proposing it, leading monks, from the
Assembly to that house of mine,
what had been prepared in my house,
I gave to the monks’ Assembly.

Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.

There my well-constructed mansion
was made of gold, brightly shining.
It rose up sixty leagues in height,
and it was thirty leagues in width.

The nineteenth recitation portion.
That palace of mine was crowded,
filled with varied groups of women.
Eating and also drinking there,
I live among the thirty gods.

And three times in succession I
exercised divine rule back then,
and five times in succession I
was a monarch who turns the wheel,
and I enjoyed much local rule,
innumerable by counting.

Transmigrating from birth to birth,
I receive unlimited wealth.
I have no lack of possessions:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

Elephant- and horse-vehicles,
palanquins, also chariots—
I am obtaining all of them:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

New clothing and likewise new fruit,
new food which has the best flavor—
I am obtaining all of them:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

Silk cloth and woolen blankets too,
khoma and also cotton cloth—
I am obtaining all of them:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

Groups of slave-women, groups of slaves,
and women who are all decked out—
I am obtaining all of them:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

I am not cold, I am not hot;
burning fever does not exist.
And also mental suffering
is non-existent in my mind.

People say, “Eat this,” “enjoy this,”
“lit down to sleep in this good bed.”
I am obtaining all of that:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

Now is the final time for me;
my last rebirth is proceeding.
Today the fruit which I donated
is always making me happy.

After donating my new crop,
for the monks of splendid virtue,
I experience eight results,
in accordance with my karma.

I’m handsome and I’m famous too,
very wealthy and free from harm;
always in the majority,
my retinue has no factions.
They all are giving me respect,
whomever on earth I mix with.
And whatever gifts there may be,
I always get the first of each.

In the middle of the monks or
face-to-face with the Best Buddha,
passing over all the others,
the donors are giving to me.

Having given the first new crop,
for the monks of splendid virtue,
I am enjoying these results:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I gave that donation then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of a new crop.

My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

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!

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

Thus indeed Venerable Sucintita Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Sucintita Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala