49.
The Chapter on Paṃsukūla
1.
The Life History of the Elder Paṃsukūlasaññaka
1.
Having set aside the rag-robe, the Conqueror entered the dwelling.
2.
Having seized the circular tip, I entered the forest.
3.
Having put down my bow right there, having made a salutation with joined palms at my head.
4.
Having remembered the foremost Buddha, I paid homage to the rag-robe.
5.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of homage.
6.
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
7.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
8.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Paṃsukūlasaññaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Paṃsukūlasaññaka is the first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Buddhasaññaka
9.
In the marks of a great man and in history, together with vocabularies and rituals.
10.
To them I teach the sacred texts, unwearied day and night.
11.
Having removed the darkness of ignorance, he set in motion the light of knowledge.
12.
Having heard this matter, they reported to me then.
13.
People conform to him, material gain for us is not found.
What if I were to see the foremost Buddha, the leader of the world.
15.
Having gone forth from the hermitage, I addressed the pupils.
As milk for crows, rare is the leader of the world.
17.
When both are present, hearing is very difficult to obtain.
18.
Come, let us all go to the presence of the Fully Self-Enlightened One.
19.
Those matted-haired ones, laden with burdens, departed from the forest then.
20.
Free from attachment and hate, fearless like lions.
21.
Wandering for gleanings, they approached the foremost Buddha.
22.
Having remembered the foremost Buddha, there I deceased.
23.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of perception of the Buddha.
24.
25.
26.
Thus the Venerable Elder Buddhasaññaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Buddhasaññaka is the second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Bhisadāyaka
27.
I pulled out lotus roots there, for the sake of food, I then.
28.
The Buddha wearing red robes, goes through the sky-path.
29.
Looking upwards, I saw the leader of the world.
Honey flows from the lotus roots, milk and ghee from the tubers.
31.
Then the compassionate Teacher, of great fame, having descended.
32.
Having accepted, the Fully Self-Enlightened One gave me thanksgiving.
33.
By this gift of lotus roots, may you obtain abundant happiness.'
34.
The Fully Self-Enlightened One, having taken almsfood, the Conqueror departed through the sky.
35.
Having hung the lotus root on a tree, I remembered my giving.
36.
The sky resounded, with a thunderbolt crashing.
37.
I, sitting peacefully, there I deceased.
38.
My corpse has fallen, I delighted in the heavenly world.
39.
Attend upon me morning and evening, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
40.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
41.
All mental corruptions are completely eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
42.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
43.
44.
45.
Thus the Venerable Elder Bhisadāyaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Bhisadāyaka is the third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Ñāṇathavika
46.
Seeking the highest good, I dwelt in the forest then.
47.
Seeking a teacher, I dwell alone.
48.
He makes known the four truths, lifting up the great multitude.
49.
When eight years had passed, I heard of the leader of the world.
50.
Having taken a carrying-pole burden, I departed from the forest.
51.
Gradually to Candavatī, then I approached.
52.
Lifting up many beings, he teaches the Deathless state.
53.
Having arranged my antelope skin on one shoulder, I praised the leader of the world.
54.
The ultimate goal and the support, the island and the best of bipeds.
The twenty-first recitation section.
55.
There is no other saviour in the world, none higher than you, O sage.
56.
But your knowledge, O Omniscient One, it is not possible to measure.
57.
But for your wisdom, there is no measure, O One with Vision.
58.
But your morality, O Omniscient One, it is not possible to measure.
59.
These are measurable, you are immeasurable, O One with Vision."
60.
Having raised my joined palms, I remained silent then.
61.
Having sat down in the community of monks, he spoke these verses.
62.
Him I will explain, listen to me as I speak.
63.
A thousand times as lord of the gods, he will exercise divine kingship.
64.
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
65.
With undiminished mental thought, he will be of sharp wisdom.'
66.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
67.
At seven years old by birth, he will attain arahantship.
68.
In between here I do not know an intention that is unpleasant.
69.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, the fruit of praising knowledge.
70.
All mental corruptions are completely eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
71.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, the fruit of praising knowledge.
72.
73.
74.
Thus the Venerable Elder Ñāṇathavika spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Ñāṇathavika is the fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Candanamāliya
75.
Having abandoned eighty crores, I went forth into homelessness.
76.
Having abandoned verbal misconduct, I dwelt on the river bank.
77.
Not knowing him to be the Buddha, I offered a friendly welcome.
78.
'Are you a deity, a gandhabba, or Sakka, the first of givers?
79.
You illuminate all directions, like the rising sun.
80.
Who are you, or whose son are you? How may we know you?
Declare your name and clan, dispel my doubt."
81.
Nor is there the state of Brahmā in me, I am the highest of these.
82.
Having burnt all mental defilements, I attained the highest enlightenment.'
83.
'If you are a Buddha, omniscient, sit down, O great sage.
84.
"Having spread out a lion's hide, I gave it to the Teacher.
85.
Having quickly ascended the mountain, I took up a mango fruit.
86.
Having quickly taken up all that, having approached the leader of the world.
87.
Having anointed him with sandalwood, I venerated the Teacher.
88.
Having sat down on the cheetah hide, the wise one, the leader of the world.
89.
'By this gift of fruit, and by garlands of fragrance, both.
90.
With undiminished mental thought, he will be wielding power.
91.
He will be a universal monarch, ruler of the four quarters, of great supernormal power.
92.
It will be entirely made of gold, adorned with various jewels.
93.
Having been venerated everywhere, in divinity and also in humanity.
94.
Having gone forth from home, he will become homeless;
Having gone beyond through direct knowledge, he will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.'
95.
While I was gazing, departed through the sky-path.
96.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
97.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, in whatever womb I dwell.
98.
By my mother's desire, arises at will.
99.
When my hair was cut off, I attained arahantship.
100.
In thirty thousand cosmic cycles, I remembered my action.
101.
Having come to your teaching, I have attained the unshakeable state.
102.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
103.
104.
105.
Thus the Venerable Elder Candanamāliya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Candanamāliya is the fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Dhātupūjaka
106.
Having brought together my relatives, I made an offering to the relics.
107.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the veneration of the relic.
108.
109.
110.
Thus the Venerable Elder Dhātupūjaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Dhātupūjaka is the sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Elder Pulinuppādaka
111.
There was a walking path for me, created by spirits.
112.
Seeking the highest good, I departed from the forest then.
113.
Devoted to their own duties, they dwelt in the forest then.
114.
Having brought together various flowers, I venerated that shrine.
115.
All the pupils, having assembled together, asked me about this matter.
116.
We too wish to know, being asked, tell us, you.'
117.
Them indeed I pay homage to, the foremost Buddhas of great fame.'
118.
Of what beauty, of what character, what are they like, those of great fame?"
Their eyes have cow-like eyelashes, resembling the fruit of wild liquorice.
120.
Their knees do not creak, no sound of joints is heard.
121.
The right foot first, this is the nature of the Buddhas.
122.
They do not exalt themselves, nor do they scoff at living beings.
123.
Not exalting themselves, the Buddhas, this is the nature of the Buddhas.
124.
They cause to tremble in six ways, this entire earth.
125.
A great rain cloud sheds rain, this is the nature of the Buddhas.
126.
Unsurpassed in beauty, immeasurable are the Tathāgatas.'
127.
And they proceeded accordingly, according to their ability, according to their strength."
128.
Believing my word, with minds honouring the Buddha.
129.
Arose in his mother's womb, the ten thousand trembled.
130.
All the pupils, having assembled together, came to my presence.
131.
Like a crocodile it moves, what will be the result?
132.
He, the Blessed One, the Teacher, has now entered the mother's womb.
133.
Having dismissed my own pupils, I sat cross-legged.
134.
Having remembered the foremost Buddha, there I deceased.
135.
And having taken my body, they placed it upon the funeral pyre.
136.
Afflicted by the dart of sorrow, they assembled and cried loudly.
137.
'I am your teacher, do not grieve, O wise ones.
138.
Do not be heedless, the moment has been provided to you.'
139.
For eighteen cosmic cycles, I delighted in the heavenly world.
140.
And many hundreds of times, I exercised divine kingship.
141.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the arising.
142.
So too I, at the right time, was made to bloom by the great sage.
143.
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
144.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of praising.
145.
146.
147.
Thus the Venerable Elder Pulinuppādaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Pulinuppādaka is the seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Taraṇiya
148.
The Tathāgata approached the bank of the river Vinatā.
149.
Wishing to help the Buddha cross, I approached the leader of the world.
150.
I will help you cross, you are the one who makes an end of suffering.'
151.
Having ascended my back, the leader of the world stood.
152.
There is no such happiness for me, as when the soles of my feet are touched.
153.
Standing on the riverbank, spoke these verses.
154.
And this tortoise king, the wise one, helped me to cross.
155.
For eighteen hundred cosmic cycles, he will delight in the heavenly world.
156.
Having sat down on one seat, he will cross the stream of uncertainty.
157.
When the rain sends down proper showers, the fruit pleases the farmer.
158.
When the rain sends down proper showers, the fruit will please me.'
159.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, I dwell without mental corruptions.
160.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of crossing over.
161.
162.
163.
Thus the Venerable Elder Taraṇiya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Taraṇiya is the eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Dhammaruci
164.
'Immeasurable cosmic cycles from now, this one will be a Buddha.
165.
His father will be named Suddhodana, this one will be Gotama.
166.
At the root of the holy fig tree, the Fully Self-Enlightened One of great fame will awaken.
167.
Ānanda by name, he will attend upon this Conqueror.
168.
Citta and Āḷavaka will be the chief lay followers.
169.
The enlightenment tree of this hero is called the holy fig tree.'
170.
Rejoicing, men and deities pay homage with joined palms.
Having heard the excellent explanation, of Sumedha, the great sage.
172.
And when that hero was going forth, I went forth together with him.
173.
Living a pure life, mindful, a hero, one who complies with the Conqueror's teaching.
174.
Engaged in misconduct, fallen from the good path.
175.
Afterwards by that bad friend, I was employed in matricide.
176.
Having passed away from there, I was reborn in the great Avīci, extremely dreadful.
177.
I did not see again the hero, the wise one, the bull among men.
178.
Having seen a boat in the sea, I approached for the purpose of food.
179.
Having heard the great cry 'Gotama' uttered by them.
180.
In Sāvatthī, in a prosperous family, I was born in the brahmin caste.
181.
Having seen the light of the world, seven years old by birth.
182.
I approach the Buddha three times, by night and by day.
183.
Then I said to the Buddha, illumined by former action.
Today indeed I, with excellent seeing, behold your incomparable body.
For a very long time, the stainless was purified, the eye made of knowledge, O great sage.
Having come together with you again today, for deeds done do not perish, O Gotama.
187.
188.
189.
Thus the Venerable Elder Dhammaruciya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Dhammaruciya is the ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Elder Sālamaṇḍapiya
190.
Covered with Sāla flowers, I dwelt in the forest then.
191.
The Fully Self-Enlightened One, desiring seclusion, approached the Sal grove.
192.
Seeking roots and fruits, I wandered in the forest then.
193.
Well seated, a meditative attainer, shining in the great forest.
194.
Having made a well-crafted pavilion, covered it with sal flowers.
195.
Having gladdened my mind there, I paid homage to the foremost Buddha.
196.
Looking only a yoke's length ahead, the highest of men sat down.
197.
With a hundred thousand masters, approached the Guide.
198.
Having sat down in the community of monks, the Conqueror manifested a smile.
199.
Having arranged his robe on one shoulder, asked the great sage.
200.
When a reason exists, the Teacher manifests a smile.'
201.
Having remembered his action, I manifested a smile.
202.
In the heavenly world or among human beings, no place is suitable.
203.
As far as his assembly extends, it will be covered with Sal trees.
204.
He will always delight, being peaceful, concentrated through meritorious action.
205.
And a shower of sal flowers will rain down at that very moment.
206.
Here too a sal-branch roof he will hold at all times.
207.
They will constantly surround me, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
208.
Connected with meritorious action, it rains at all times.
209.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
210.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, he will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.
211.
For one burning on the funeral pyre, there will be a roof there.'
212.
Taught the Teaching to the assembly, satisfying them with the rain of the Teaching.
213.
And sixty-seven times I was a universal monarch.
214.
Here too a sal-branch roof, this is the fruit of the pavilion.
215.
Here too a sal-branch roof will be at all times.
216.
I have attained the unshakeable state, having abandoned victory and defeat.
217.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
218.
219.
220.
Thus the Venerable Elder Sālamaṇḍapiya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Sālamaṇḍapiya is the tenth.
The Paṃsukūla Chapter is the forty-ninth.
Its summary:
Candanī, Dhātupūjī, and Pulinuppādaka also.
There are two hundred verses, and nineteen less.