Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Self-Enlightened One
In the Minor Collection
The Verses of the Elder Monks' Life Histories
(Second Part)
43.
The Chapter on Sakiṃsammajjaka
1.
The Life History of the Elder Sakiṃsammajjaka
1.
Having seen that tree, I gladdened my mind there.
2.
Having swept that Bodhi tree, I venerated the trumpet-flower tree.
3.
Paying homage to that Bodhi tree, I went to my hut.
4.
A boa constrictor crushed me, of terrible form and great power.
5.
My corpse is being swallowed, I rejoice in the heavenly world.
6.
I do not know the dart of sorrow, the sorrow of my mind.
7.
Ringworm and itch I have not, this is the fruit of sweeping.
8.
Unconfused and straight is my mind, this is the fruit of sweeping.
9.
Whatever concentration I desire, that very one succeeds for me.
10.
I do not become deluded towards what leads to infatuation, this is the fruit of sweeping.
11.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of sweeping.
12.
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
13.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
14.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sakiṃsammajjaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Sakiṃsammajjaka is first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Ekadussadāyaka
15.
I live by carrying grass, by that I support my children.
16.
Having removed the darkness of ignorance, the leader of the world arose.
17.
'A Buddha has arisen in the world, and no gift to give is found.
18.
Painful is the contact with hell, I shall plant an offering.'
19.
Having taken one cloth, I gave it to the foremost Buddha.
20.
'If you are a Buddha, O hero, help me cross, O great sage.'
21.
Praising my gift, he gave me thanksgiving.
22.
For a hundred thousand cosmic cycles, you do not go to the nether world.
23.
Thirty-three times as a king, you will be a universal monarch.
24.
In the heavenly world or among human beings, you wandering in existence.
25.
Imperturbable, boundless cloth, you will obtain at will.'
26.
The hero rose up into the sky, like a king of swans in the firmament.
27.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, this is the fruit of one cloth.
28.
Below I stand on cloth, above is my roof.
29.
If I wished, today I could cover it with cloth.
30.
Having become golden-coloured, I wander in the round of rebirths from existence to existence.
31.
This is my last birth, it ripens for me even here.
32.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of one cloth.
33.
34.
35.
Thus the Venerable Elder Ekadussadāyaka spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Ekadussadāyaka is second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Ekāsanadāyaka
36.
A hermitage was well made by me, a leaf-hut was well built.
37.
Seeking the path of purity, I dwelt at Gosita then.
38.
The Fully Self-Enlightened One, desiring seclusion, came along the wind's path.
39.
Having prepared a wooden bed, I spread out a cheetah hide.
40.
Having declared my pleasure, I spoke these words.
41.
Give me, afflicted by disease, medical treatment, O leader.
42.
They attain the accomplishment of everlasting good, for them there would be no ageing in existence.
43.
This seat of mine there is, sit down upon the wooden bed.'
44.
Having waited a moment, he spoke these words.
45.
All that is wished for by you, will be fulfilled in the future.
46.
It is possible to uplift oneself, whose mind is directed.
47.
For a hundred thousand cosmic cycles, you do not go to the nether world.
48.
Eighty times as a king, you will be a universal monarch.
49.
Having been happy everywhere, you will wander in the round of rebirths.'
50.
The hero rose up into the sky, like a king of swans in the firmament.
51.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of a single seat.
52.
Having understood my thought, a divan stands close.
53.
Having understood my thought, a divan stands close.
54.
A hundred thousand divans surround me always.
55.
I am born in two families, in the warrior caste and also in the brahmin caste.
56.
Having taken up the Dhamma cross-legged sitting, I dwell without mental corruptions.
57.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of a single seat.
58.
59.
60.
Thus the Venerable Elder Ekāsanadāyaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Ekāsanadāyaka is third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Sattakadambapupphiya
61.
At the foot of that mountain, seven Buddhas dwelt there.
62.
Having taken seven garlands, with a meritorious mind I scattered them.
63.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
64.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
65.
66.
67.
Thus the Venerable Elder Sattakadambapupphiya spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Sattakadambapupphiya is fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Koraṇḍapupphiya
68.
I live by slaughtering beasts, no wholesome deed is found in me.
69.
Showed three steps, the one with vision, out of compassion.
70.
Joyful, with a joyful mind, I gladdened my mind at the footprint.
71.
Having taken it with its buds, I venerated the excellent footprint.
72.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
73.
Like the colour of the koraṇḍa flower, I become one of radiant splendour.
74.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the feet.
75.
76.
77.
Thus the Venerable Elder Koraṇḍapupphiya spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Koraṇḍapupphiya is fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Ghatamaṇḍadāyaka
78.
Who had sat down in the great forest, afflicted by an illness caused by the wind humour.
79.
Because of what has been done and accumulated, this is the Ganges, the Bhāgīrathī.
80.
And this terrible earth, limitless and innumerable.
81.
These trees from the four continents, the trees, the earth-growers.
82.
Fifty times as lord of the gods, I exercised divine kingship.
83.
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
84.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the cream of ghee.
85.
86.
87.
Thus the Venerable Elder Ghatamaṇḍadāyaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Ghatamaṇḍadāyaka is sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Elder Ekadhammassavaniya
88.
Making known the four truths, he helped many people cross over.
89.
Shaking off my bark garments, I then go into the sky.
90.
Like a bird having struck against a rock, I do not obtain passage.
91.
This has never happened to me before, this upsetting of my posture.
92.
Descending from the sky, I heard the sound of the Teacher.
93.
While he was speaking of impermanence, that very thing I learned then;
Having taken up the perception of impermanence, I went to my hermitage.
94.
When I was in my last existence, I remembered the hearing of the Good Teaching.
95.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
96.
And fifty-one times, I exercised divine kingship.
97.
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
98.
I recollect that perception, wandering in the round of rebirths from existence to existence;
I do not penetrate the end, Nibbāna, the imperishable state.
99.
Explaining how, spoke of impermanence.
100.
Having arisen, they cease; their appeasement is happiness."
101.
Having sat down on one seat, I attained arahantship.
102.
The Buddha gave full ordination, this is the fruit of hearing the teaching.
103.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of hearing the teaching.
104.
105.
106.
Thus the Venerable Elder Ekadhammassavaniya spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Ekadhammassavaniya is seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Sucintita
107.
By farming I live, by that I support my children.
108.
And when the time of ripening arrived, thus I thought then.
109.
If I, without having given to the monastic community, were to consume the best then.
110.
From him the Community is made illustrious, an unsurpassed field of merit.
111.
Having thus reflected, joyful, with a gladdened mind.
112.
Having approached the Self-enlightened One, the elder of the world, the lord of men;
Having paid homage at the Teacher's feet, I spoke these words.
113.
Out of pity, consent, O One with Vision.'
114.
Having understood my thought, spoke these words.
115.
This is the Community, upright, concentrated in wisdom and morality;
For human beings who sacrifice, for beings hoping for merit.
116.
To that Community indeed should be given, your crop and likewise the other.
117.
Give what has been prepared, existing in the house, to the community of monks.'
118.
What was prepared in my house, I gave to the community of monks.
119.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
120.
Sixty yojanas in height, thirty yojanas in width.
The nineteenth recitation section.
121.
Having eaten and drunk there, I dwell in the Thirty-three heaven.
122.
Five hundred times I was a universal monarch;
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
123.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, this is the fruit of new corn.
124.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of new corn.
125.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of new corn.
126.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of new corn.
127.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of new corn.
128.
And also mental suffering is not found in my heart.
129.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of new corn.
130.
Even today my gift pleases me with its fruit always.
131.
I experience eight benefits, befitting my action.
132.
I always have a great following, always an assembly that cannot be divided.
133.
And whatever gifts there are, again and again I obtain.
134.
Having transcended all, the donors give to me alone.
135.
I experience these benefits, this is the fruit of new corn.
136.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of new corn.
137.
138.
139.
Thus the Venerable Elder Sucintita spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Sucintita is eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Sovaṇṇakiṅkaṇiya
140.
I was a wearer of bark garments, devoted to ascetic practice.
141.
Arose at that time, helping the great multitude to cross over.
142.
Having remembered the foremost Buddha, the supreme monument on the sandbank.
143.
Golden bell-flowers, I with elated mind.
144.
By that gladdening of heart, for Atthadassī, such a one.
145.
Golden-coloured I was there, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
146.
Always attend upon me, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
147.
Conch shells and tambourines there, lovely drums are beaten.
148.
Tuskers in three-fold rut, sixty years old.
149.
In the army and in elephants, no deficiency is found in me.
150.
And fifty-eight times, I exercised divine kingship.
151.
One hundred times I exercised kingship on earth, on the great earth.
152.
With mental fetters exhausted, there is now no more rebirth.
153.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
154.
155.
156.
Thus the Venerable Elder Sovaṇṇakiṅkaṇiya spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Sovaṇṇakiṅkaṇiya is ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Elder Soṇṇakontarika
157.
Dwelling on the Brahma path, delighting in the appeasement of mind.
158.
A meditative attainer at the landing place, with the radiance of a blue water-lily petal.
159.
Having washed the Buddha's feet, I gave the gourd.
160.
'Having struck this water, place it at my feet'.
161.
Having taken water in a gourd, I approached the foremost Buddha.
162.
'By this gift of a gourd, may your thought succeed.'
163.
Thirty times I was a king, a universal monarch.
164.
Having grasped a golden lance, he stands before me.
165.
Even a little service done, becomes extensive among such ones.
166.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the gourd.
167.
168.
169.
Thus the Venerable Elder Soṇṇakontarika spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Soṇṇakontarika is tenth.
The Sakiṃsammajjaka Chapter is the forty-third.
Its summary:
Kadambapupphiya, Koraṇḍapupphiya, Ghatassavanika also.
Here one hundred and seventy-one verses.