buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.65 Thera Apadana

Paccāgamanīya

I was a ruddy goose back then
along the Indus River’s bank,
subsisting only on white moss,
and well-restrained in terms of sins.

I saw the Buddha, Stainless One,
traveling across the sky there.
Taking a sal blossom with my beak
I honored Buddha Vipassi.

He with faith in the Thus-Gone-One,
unshaking and well-established,
through feeling pleasure in his heart
will not go on to bad rebirth.

Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
Good seeds have been planted by me
when I was a bird way back then.

In the ninety-one aeons since
I presented him that flower,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

There were eight men who had one name
which was Sucarudassana.
They were wheel-turners with great strength
full seventeen aeons ago.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Paccāgamanīya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Paccāgamanīya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala