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tha-ap.99 Thera Apadana

Madhupiṇḍika

In a quiet and trouble-free
forest grove, I once having seen
Siddhattha the Sage, the Supreme,
Sacrificial Recipient,

Gone-Out-One, the Great Elephant,
Bull of Men, like a thoroughbred,
shining forth like the morning star,
praised by the assembly of gods,
much happiness arose in me;
knowledge came into being then.

Giving honey to the Teacher
who’d risen from meditation,
and worshipping the Teacher’s feet,
I departed facing the east.

Then thirty-four aeons ago
I was the king, Sudassana;
sweet honey flowed from lotus roots
whenever I was eating them.
And it rained a rain of honey:
that’s the fruit of former karma.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave him that honey back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving honey.

And thirty-four aeons ago
there were four named Sudassana,
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 Madhupiṇḍika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Madhupiṇḍika Thera is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala