buddha daily wisdom image

tha-ap.97 Thera Apadana

Gandhamāliya

I made a perfumed stupa for
him, Siddhattha, the Blessed One,
the Buddha, Top Chief of the World,
blazing up like a fire-altar,
bright as a blue water lily,
as superb as a tiger bull,
of noble birth as is a lion,
seated, the Top of all the Monks,
Honored by the Monks’ Assembly,
and covered it with jasmine flowers
appropriate for the Buddha.
Then worshipping the Teacher’s feet
I departed facing the north.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave that perfumed garland then,
distinguished by the fruit of doing
what should be done for the Buddha,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

In the thirty-ninth aeon hence
there were sixteen different people;
all were known as Devagandha
and they were all wheel-turning kings.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Gandhamāliya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Gandhamāliya Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala