buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.85 Thera Apadana

Nipannañjalika

Seated at the foot of a tree
I became extremely diseased.
In the forest grove I attained
an extremely pitiful state.

Having taken pity on me,
the Teacher, Tissa, approached me.
As I lay there dying I then
pressed both my hands over my head.

With a pleased heart and happy mind,
having worshipped the Sambuddha,
the Ultimate Among Beings,
I passed away right on the spot.

In the ninety-two aeons since
I worshipped him, the Best Person,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of worshipping.

In the fifth aeon after that
there were five named Mahāsikha,
wheel-turning kings with great power
possessors of the seven gems.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Nipannañjalika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nipannañjalika Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala