In this present lucky aeon
Brahmā’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,
known by the name of Kassapa,
Best Debater, Buddha, arose.Back then both Candana and I,
gone forth in the dispensation,
fulfilling Dhamma to the end
of life in the dispensation,fallen from there were both reborn
as gods in Tusitā heaven.
Having surpassed the others there,
through dances which were divine, and
through songs and through speeches and the
ten attainments starting with looks,
living our lifespan’s full extent,
we’re enjoying great happiness.Falling from there, Candana was
reborn among the thirty gods;
I was a son of the Śākyas,
in Kapilavastu city.When the Buddha, the World’s Leader,
asked by the Elder, Udāyi,
with compassion for the Śākyas
returned to Kapilavastu,the proud among the Śākyans then,
not knowing the Buddha’s virtue,
aren’t bowing to the Sambuddha,
caste-conceited, disrespectful.Discerning what they were thinking,
walking back and forth in the sky,
the Victor rained like the Rain-God,
and blazed forth like the God of Fire.Displaying his unequaled form,
he made it disappear again.
Having been one, he was many,
and then again he was alone.He showed himself in varied forms,
in darkness as well as bright light.
Having performed that miracle,
the Sage instructed his kinsmen.A huge cloud four continents-wide
rained forth on the world all the time.
Then the Buddha preached to them all
the Vessantara Jātaka.At that time all those kṣatriyans,
having slain their caste-born conceit,
approached the Buddha for refuge.
Then King Suddhodana said this:“O Very Wise One this is the third time I’m
worshipping your feet, One with Eyes on All Sides;
the first time was when your birth caused the earth to quake,
next when the rose-apple’s shade did not leave you.”Seeing the Buddha’s majestic
power, I too was astonished.
Having gone forth right on that spot,
I dwelt, worshipped by my mother.Candana, now son of a god,
approached me, then examined me
on the Bhaddekaratta Sutta,
in abridged and extended forms.Then being incited by him,
I approached the Leader of Men.
Hearing the Bhaddekaratta,
moved, I longed for the forest-life.Then I asked my mother about
going alone to the forest.
My mother said, “You’re Delicate.
Refrain from that course.” Then I said:“When I’m practicing solitude,
I will push away with my chest
sacrificial grass and cane grass,
cuscus grass, tender grass, coarse grass.Gone into the woods, recalling
the Victor’s dispensation, the
advice in Bhaddekaratta,
I attained my arahantship.The past is not to be pursued;
the future's not to be longed for.
What is past has been left behind,
and the future is unattained.Everywhere he who sees clearly
a thing which arises then falls,
that wise one fosters nirvana,
unconquerable and steady.Now, today effort should be made;
who knows if there’s death tomorrow?
There exists no contract for us
with the massive army of Death.“Living thus, making great effort,
day and night, without laziness,
that indeed’s Bhaddekaratto,”
so says the Sage, the Peaceful One.”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 Lomasakaṅgiya Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Lomasakaṅgiya Thera is finished.