39.
The Chapter on Avaṭaphala
1.
The Life History of the Elder Avaṭaphaladāyaka
1.
The Perfectly Enlightened One, desiring seclusion, went forth for alms.
2.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a mango fruit.
3.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
4.
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
5.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
6.
The six higher knowledges have been realised, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Avaṭaphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Avaṭaphaladāyaka is the first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Labujadāyaka
7.
I saw the stainless Buddha, going through the sky-path.
8.
Standing in space, being peaceful, the one of great fame received it.
9.
Having given fruit to the Buddha, with a clear mind.
10.
A jewel arises indeed, for one reborn here and there.
11.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
12.
13.
14.
Thus the Venerable Elder Labujadāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Labujadāyaka is the second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Udumbaraphaladāyaka
15.
I saw the stainless Buddha, fully focused, well concentrated.
16.
Having taken a fig fruit, I gave it to the foremost Buddha.
17.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
18.
19.
20.
Thus the Venerable Elder Udumbaraphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Udumbaraphaladāyaka is the third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka
21.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a fruit of the wave-leafed fig tree.
22.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
23.
24.
25.
Thus the Venerable Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka is the fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Phārusaphaladāyaka
26.
Proceeding along the road, I gave him a harsh fruit.
27.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
28.
29.
30.
Thus the Venerable Elder Phārusaphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Phārusaphaladāyaka is the fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Valliphaladāyaka
31.
Seeking fruit, they did not obtain fruit then.
32.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a creeper fruit.
33.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
34.
35.
36.
Thus the Venerable Elder Valliphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Valliphaladāyaka is the sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Elder Kadaliphaladāyaka
37.
Like a blazing lamp post, I saw the leader of the world.
38.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, having paid homage, I departed.
39.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
40.
41.
42.
Thus the Venerable Elder Kadaliphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Kadaliphaladāyaka is the seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Panasaphaladāyaka
43.
And accomplished in conduct, a sage skilled in concentration.
44.
Having placed it on an umbrella-leaf, I gave it to the Teacher.
45.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
46.
47.
48.
Thus the Venerable Elder Panasaphaladāyaka spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Panasaphaladāyaka is the eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Soṇakoṭivīsa
49.
For the Community of the four directions, in the royal city of Bandhumā.
50.
Elated in mind, glad at heart, I made an aspiration then.
51.
And may I experience the unsurpassed Nibbāna, the highest peace.
52.
Whether become a god or a human, having done merit, I shone forth.
53.
At Campā, of the chief merchant, I was born as an only son.
54.
I give to the boy, twenty million, not lacking.
55.
Subtle, soft to the touch, similar to cotton-wool, beautiful.
56.
I do not know of my feet placed on the ground without a rug.
57.
And arahantship was attained by me, I am become cool, quenched.
58.
I am one who eliminated the mental corruptions, a Worthy One, possessor of the six higher knowledges, of great supernormal power.
59.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving a rock cell.
60.
61.
62.
63.
Asked a question, he explained, at the great lake Anotatta."
Thus the Venerable Elder Soṇa Koṭivīsa spoke these verses.
The life history of the Elder Soṇakoṭivīsa is the ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Buddha on the Rag-robed One's Former Actions
64.
Illuminated by various jewels, amidst forests of various fragrances.
65.
Seated there, he declared his own former deeds.
66.
The action concerning the rag, ripens even in Buddhahood.
[1]
67.
I accused an Individually Enlightened One, fragrant, who was blameless.
68.
For many thousands of years, I experienced painful feeling.
69.
False accusation was received by me, on account of Sundarikā.
[2]
70.
Having slandered him, I wandered in hell for a long time.
71.
Having obtained human existence, I received much false accusation.
72.
With what is untrue, in front of the crowd of people.
[3]
73.
In the great forest, I teach the sacred texts to five hundred young men.
74.
Having seen him who had come, I accused him who was blameless.
75.
And when I was speaking, the young men gave thanks.
76.
Said to the great multitude, 'This sage is an enjoyer of sensual pleasures.'
77.
All received false accusation, on account of Sundarikā.
[4]
78.
I threw him into a mountain fortress, and crushed him with a stone.
79.
A stone pebble crushed my toe on the foot.
[5]
80.
Having seen an Individually Enlightened One, I threw a splinter on the path.
81.
Devadatta employed assassins for the purpose of killing me.
[6]
82.
Him wandering for almsfood, I assailed with my elephant.
83.
In the excellent city of Giribbaja, cruel, approached.
[7]
84.
By the result of that action, I was cooked exceedingly in hell.
85.
Skin on the feet was arranged, for action does not perish.
[8]
86.
Having seen fish being killed, I generated pleasure.
87.
And all the Sakyans were killed, when Viṭaṭūbha struck.
[9]
88.
'Eat and consume barley, but do not consume rice.'
89.
Invited by a brahmin, I dwelt at Verañjā then.
[10]
90.
By the result of that action, there was back pain for me.
[11]
91.
By the result of that action, I have dysentery.
[12]
92.
'Whence enlightenment for a shaveling? Enlightenment is supremely difficult to obtain.'
93.
For six years at Uruvelā, then I attained enlightenment.
94.
I sought by a wrong path, obstructed by former action.
95.
Sorrowless, without anguish, I shall be quenched, without mental corruptions.
96.
Having attained the power of all direct knowledge, at the great lake Anotatta."
Thus the Blessed One spoke this exposition of the Teaching called 'The Life History of the Buddha', concerning his own former conduct and the rag of past actions.
The biography of the Buddha named "The Rag of Former Deeds" is the tenth.
The Avaṭaphala Chapter is the thirty-ninth.
Its summary:
The bamboo, the creeper and the plantain, the jackfruit, and Koṭivīsa.
Ninety-one verses, counted by the wise.
The fourteenth recitation section.
