A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the Leader arose.

Resembling a golden mountain, with radiance equal to the sun's light.

Gone beyond all paths of speech, honoured by humans and deities.

With a continuum bound by compassion, confident in the assemblies.

He lifts up living beings sunk in the mire of delusion.

Going through the sky to the human world, I saw the Conqueror.

Of the hero praising the great virtue of the disciple.

He pleases both the assembly and me, just as this Kaccāyana does.

Therefore henceforth he is the foremost, thus remember, monks.'

Having gone to the Himalaya, having brought a collection of flowers.

Then, having known my disposition, he who abandons conflict made the declaration.

With hair standing on end, with full shoulders, standing unshakeable with joined palms.

Born of the Teaching, with a heart for learning, resembling one sprinkled with the Deathless.'

In the future time, of Gotama, the great sage.

Kaccāna by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.

He will attain that state, just as he was declared by me.

I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.

I go to no other destination, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.

I am not born in a low family, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.

Under the fierce Pajjota, dependent on the chief priest, a brahmin.

And my mother was named Candimā, I am Kaccāna of excellent skin.

Having seen the leader, the accumulation of virtues, the door to the city of liberation.

I attained the Deathless, the peaceful, together with the remaining seven.

And established in the foremost position, with wish well fulfilled.

Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.

"Indeed welcome it was for me, my coming to the Buddha's presence; The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.

The six higher knowledges have been realised, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."

Of superior name, immeasurable, named Padumuttara.

Untainted by the world, just as a lotus by water.

Like the supreme fragrance of a lotus, therefore he is Padumuttara.

Of peaceful appearance, a treasure of virtues, an ocean of compassion and wisdom.

The supreme conqueror, amidst the people crowded with gods and humans.

Pleasing the entire assembly, he praised his own disciple.

There is no other such as this, as this monk Vakkali.

Having been, and having heard that word, I delighted in that state.

Having fed them for seven days, I then covered them with cloth.

Submerged, filled with joy, I spoke these words.

The monk foremost among the faithful, such may I become, O sage.'

Uttered this word to the assembly, the great sage.

With limbs adorned with golden ornaments, captivating to the eyes and minds of people.

The foremost among those resolved in faith, this one will be his disciple.

Surrounded by all wealth, he will transmigrate happily.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Vakkali by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.'

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

Formerly I was born in Sāvatthī, in a certain family.

Helpless, lying on my back, frightened by fear of a goblin.

We give this one to you, O protector, be his refuge, O leader.

With a hand that was webbed, marked with wheels, soft and tender.

Released from all enmity, I grew in happiness.

Seven years old by birth, I went forth into homelessness.

A form strewn with all beauty, unsatisfied I dwell.

'Enough, Vakkali, what is there in this form, you delight in what fools find pleasing.

Not seeing the Good Teaching, even seeing me, he does not see.

The residence of all diseases, a heap of suffering alone.

See the impurities, he will easily go to the end.'

Having climbed up Vulture's Peak, I meditate in the mountain grotto.

'Vakkalī,' the Conqueror spoke, having heard that, I was joyful.

Then by the power of the Buddha, I went easily to the earth.

Having understood that Teaching, I attained arahantship.

The great wise man declared foremost among those resolved in faith.

I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.

Risen in the cloudless sky, like the sun in the autumn sky.

The Leader dries up the mud of mental defilements with the rays of his wisdom.

He illuminates the radiance of truth's meaning, like the sun a jewel.

Like Pajjunna upon beings, he rains with the Teaching-cloud.

Having approached, I heard the teaching, of the one whose name is the Highest Water-born.

Of him who was proclaiming virtue, who was pleasing my mind.

Having fed him together with his disciples, I aspired for that state.

Behold this chief minister, skilled in judgment.

With the colour of a rain-cloud, with full shoulders, with serene eyes and face.

This one aspires to the state of one who has done his duty, with a heart of altruistic joy.

For a hundred thousand cosmic cycles, one is not reborn in an unfortunate realm.

With the remainder, he will attain Nibbāna.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Kappina by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.'

On discarding the human body, I went to Tusita.

Near Bārāṇasī, he was born in the weaver caste.

Attended upon five hundred Individually Enlightened Ones.

Passed away from there, we all became those who reached the realm of the deities.

We were born formerly in Kukkuṭa, in sight of the Himalayas.

Those born in the remaining ministers' families surrounded me alone.

I heard from merchants the announcement of the arising of a Buddha.

He makes known the Good Teaching, the Deathless, the highest happiness.

"Having heard their good words, having honoured the merchants.

Having seen the river, great and fierce, filled to the brim.

Having remembered the virtue of the Buddha, I crossed over safely.

By this speaking of truth, may my journey succeed.

By this speaking of truth, may my journey succeed.

By this speaking of truth, may my journey succeed.'

Then I crossed over with ease, to the delightful riverbank.

Blazing like a golden rock, illuminated like a lamp post.

Like Vāsava raining, amidst the clouds of the Teaching.

Then, having known our disposition, the Buddha expounded the Teaching.

'Give us the going forth, O great hero, we are wearied of existence.'

Practise the holy life', thus said the seventh sage.

We became fully ordained, and stream-enterers in the Dispensation.

Admonished by the Conqueror, I attained arahantship.

Those who followed my instruction, they too were without mental corruptions.

Foremost among exhorters of monks, as Kappina among the great assembly."

Released like the speed of an arrow, I burnt up my defilements.

A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the one with vision arose.

The Buddha, skilled in teaching, helped many people to cross.

He established all the sectarians who had arrived in the five precepts.

Decorated with Worthy Ones, by those who had become masters, by such ones.

Resembling the radiance of gold, possessing the thirty-two excellent characteristics.

Remaining for that long, he helped many people to cross.

Having approached the light of the world, I heard the exposition of the Teaching.

Having heard the word of him who was proclaiming, I was joyful.

Having bowed down with my head at his feet, I aspired for that state.

'He who fed the leader of the world together with the monastic community for seven days.

Fell at my feet, aspiring to the highest state.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

An appointer of lodgings, he will be the foremost at that time.'

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

Five hundred times I was a universal monarch.

Everywhere I was happy, owing to that action.

Arose, lovely to behold, one with insight into all phenomena.

One in whom all mental corruptions are eliminated, and knowing him to be pure.

Having taken a voting ticket, I gave milk-rice.

Kassapa by clan, the best of speakers arose.

Having trained those fit to be trained, he, together with his disciples, attained final Nibbāna.

The gods cried out, agitated, with loosened hair, with tearful faces.

We shall not hear the Good Teaching, alas, our lack of merit.

And the ocean, as if with sorrow, resounded a pitiful utterance.

All around the thunderbolts, burst forth frightfully.

With smoke and whirling flames, the beasts cried pitiably.

Agitated, we seven monks, we reflected then.

Having entered the great forest, let us engage in the Conqueror's Dispensation.

Having climbed it by a ladder, we threw down the ladder.

Faith, extremely rare, has been obtained, and little remains of the Dispensation.'

Therefore effort should be made, as long as the sage's teaching stands.

The others, virtuous and engaged, we went to the heavenly world.

And I and Pakkusāti, Sabhiya and Bāhiya likewise.

Freed from the bonds of saṃsāra, shown compassion by Gotama.

My mother died and ascended the funeral pyre, from there I fell out.

By the power of the holy life, I was liberated at seven years old.

By insulting one who has eliminated the mental corruptions, I was much accused by the evil ones.

Having attained the supreme peace, I dwell without mental corruptions.

The Conqueror, satisfied with that virtue, established me in the foremost position.

The hero, beneficial to the whole world, named Padumuttara.

Wandering for the day's abiding, I saw the leader of the world.

Foremost among brilliant speakers, praising among the great assembly.

Having decorated the pavilion with cloths of various colours.

Having fed them for seven days, with food of various excellent flavours.

Having bowed down at his feet, I aspired to that state.

'Behold this excellent twice-born one, with lotus-face and eyes.

With wide eyes full of mirth, eager for my teaching.

This one aspires to that state, of being a brilliant speaker.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Kumārakassapa by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.

He will attain the foremost position among brilliant speakers.'

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

Having become the offspring of a monkey, I entered the womb of a hind.

My mother, abandoned by her relatives, went for refuge to a banyan tree.

Having given up a living being, he then exhorted me thus.

Death in the banyan tree is better, than life in a branch."

Having come to the charming Tusita abode, we went abroad as if to our own home.

Having ascended the peak of a rock, having engaged in the Conqueror's Dispensation.

My mother, being pregnant, went forth into homelessness.

He said 'Destroy this evil nun.'

My mother gave birth happily, in the nuns' quarters.

With the care of a prince, and by name I am Kassapa.

Having heard the body likened to an ant-hill, taught by the Buddha.

Having tamed Pāyāsi, I attained this highest state.

Of great radiance, the highest in the three worlds, named Padumuttara.

Having heard, with elated mind, I, having made an offering to the great sage.

Having paid respect to the Perfectly Enlightened One, I aspired to that state then.

Fallen at my feet, reviewing his conduct.

With hanging copper-coloured lips like bimba fruit, a twice-born with even white sharp teeth.

Having become a receptacle for a flood of virtues, with face blossoming with joy.

In the future, the great hero, Gotama by name, will be.

Bāhiya by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.'

Having made an offering, passed away, I went to heaven as to my own dwelling.

Having transmigrated owing to it, I experience success.

Having ascended the peak of a rock, having engaged in the Conqueror's Dispensation.

Passed away from there, five people, we went to the heavenly world.

Then I plunged by boat into the ocean with little success.

Then in the dreadful, terrible, sea-monster-filled waters, I fell.

Reached the excellent port of Suppāda, shaken by the slow wind.

Then that person, satisfied, said: 'A Worthy One has come here.'

And with medicine, we shall be happy.

I gave rise to the thought 'I am a Worthy One' unwisely.

'You do not know the path of means, whence would you be a Worthy One?'

'Who are these and where in the world, the Worthy Ones, the best of men?

He, the Sakyan son, a Worthy One, without mental corruptions, expounds the Teaching for the attainment of arahantship.

Elated in mind, to see the highest arahantship, the beautiful one of infinite range.

Having approached the charming forest named Vijita, I asked the brahmans where is the world's delight.

Like a hare, quickly, eager to see the sage, having approached, pay homage to that foremost person.'

Saw him wandering for almsfood, without longing, without greed.

Resembling an abode of splendour, with a face that bears the brightness of the sun.

"Be a refuge for one lost on the wrong path, O Gotama.

This is not the time for a talk on the Teaching', thus said the seventh sage."

He who expounded the Teaching to me, the profound state of emptiness.

Being one whose life span was brought to an end, peaceful - oh, how compassionate is the Teacher!

Fallen on a rubbish heap, by a cow possessed by a spirit.

That elder attained final Nibbāna, in Sāvatthī, the best of cities.

The wise one wearing bark-cloth, Bāhiya who had warded off evil.

Life gone, defilements dried up, a doer of the Conqueror's teaching.

"Take, having led away, cremate the body of the fellow in the holy life.

He is the foremost of those with quick direct knowledge, my disciple who acts according to my word.

One verse is better, hearing which one becomes calm.

There the stars do not shine, the sun does not radiate.

When the brahmin, a sage, knew by himself through the wisdom of a sage.

Thus spoke the Protector, the sage, the refuge of the three worlds."

A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the one with vision arose.

The Buddha, skilled in teaching, helped many people to cross.

He established all the sectarians who had arrived in the five precepts.

Decorated with Worthy Ones, by those who had become masters, by such ones.

Resembling the radiance of gold, possessing the thirty-two excellent characteristics.

Remaining for that long, he helped many people to cross.

Having approached the highest in all the world, I heard the exposition of the Teaching.

Skilled in meaning and teaching and language, and in discernment.

Together with his disciples, the excellent conqueror, I fed for seven days then.

Having bowed down at his feet, I aspired to that state.

Bent at my feet, with the radiance of a lotus's interior.

Through that faith, through generosity, and through hearing the Good Teaching.

In the future time, you will obtain that wish.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Koṭṭhika by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.'

With a mind of friendliness I tended, mindful, concentrated in wisdom.

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

Five hundred times I was a universal monarch.

Everywhere I was happy, owing to that action.

I go to no other destination, this is the fruit of good practice.

"I am not born in a low family, this is the fruit of good practice.

In Sāvatthī, in a brahmin family, I was reborn, of great riches.

When the Buddha trained my father, with complete purification.

Moggallāna was my teacher, my preceptor was of Sāri's origin.

And while putting on the ochre robe, I attained arahantship.

Excelling in these, the chief of the world established me in the foremost position.

Therefore in the analytical knowledges, I am the foremost in the Perfectly Enlightened One's Dispensation.

A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the one with vision arose.

The Buddha, skilled in teaching, helped many people to cross.

He established all the sectarians who had arrived in the five precepts.

Decorated with Worthy Ones, by those who had become masters, by such ones.

Resembling the radiance of gold, possessing the thirty-two excellent characteristics.

Remaining for that long, he helped many people to cross.

Having approached the light of the world, I heard the exposition of the Teaching.

Establishing him in the foremost position, having heard that, I was joyful.

Together with a thousand brahmins, I gave a gift.

Standing to one side, joyful, I spoke these words.

May there be a great assembly, for one reborn here and there.'

The Teacher with the voice of the Indian cuckoo, "See this brahmin.

With an exultant son, joyful, having faith in my virtues.

In the future time, you will obtain that wish.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Kassapa by clan, will be a disciple of the Teacher.'

Incomparable, matchless, Phussa, the chief leader of the world.

He rains down the Deathless rain, satisfying the world including the gods.

We were three brothers, all associated with the king.

Then the lord of the earth, with angered borderlands, said to us.

Having made it secure and conquered, give again,' thus you speak."

For our attendance, we will accomplish that for you.'

Having made the borderland lay down its weapons, and having approached that place again.

Having obtained the heroic sage, we worshipped him for as long as life.

Charming lodgings and beneficial medicines.

Moral ones, compassionate, with minds devoted to meditation.

When that chief of the world was quenched, having made an offering according to my strength.

We all experienced this, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.

So I, wandering in existence, was the lord of Videha.

Having mounted the path to hell, by the wish of my daughter.

Having wandered through in many ways, having abandoned the evil view.

Having abandoned the body, I went to heaven as to my own dwelling.

Born in prosperous Bārāṇasī, in a great brahman family.

Seeking the state of Nibbāna, I wandered among the matted-hair ascetics.

Having built a hermitage at Uruvelā, I dwelt there.

Thence there was a description of me, as Uruvelākassapa."

By the name of his dwelling place, at Gayā was Gayākassapa.

For me five hundred less, all pupils following me.

Miracles for me, the chief of the world, the trainer of men, trained me.

Together with all of them, I attained arahantship.

And I was able to teach, therefore I am the seventh sage.

Oh, the service done to the Buddha, became fruitful for me.

A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the one with vision arose.

The Buddha, skilled in teaching, helped many people to cross.

He established all the sectarians who had arrived in the five precepts.

Decorated with Worthy Ones, by those who had become masters, by such ones.

Resembling the radiance of gold, possessing the thirty-two excellent characteristics.

Remaining for that long, he helped many people to cross.

Having approached that excellent man, I heard the exposition of the Teaching.

The monk ready in reply, the guide in the foremost position.

Having bowed down with my head at his feet, I aspired for that state.

With a voice that is delightful, removing the stain of mental defilements.

The service done by you to me together with the Community is exceedingly extensive.

Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.

Rādha by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.

The Leader will declare you foremost among those with ready wit.'

With a mind of friendliness I tended, mindful, concentrated in wisdom.

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

Five hundred times I was a universal monarch.

Everywhere I was happy, owing to that action.

Born in a poor brahmin family, lacking in clothing and seats.

When I was old and aged, then I approached the monastery.

Because of that I was wretched, pale of limb, and sorrowful then was I.

'For what purpose are you afflicted by sorrow for your son? Tell me your mind-produced pain.'

By that sorrow I am wretched, be my refuge, O leader.'

'Those who remember the matter of this, let them speak out'."

He gave a ladle of almsfood to me as I was walking for almsfood.'

Give the going forth to this senior twice-born, this one will be of good breed.'

Not long after, I attained the elimination of mental corruptions.

The Conqueror placed me foremost among those with ready wit.

A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the one with vision arose.

The Buddha, skilled in teaching, helped many people to cross.

He established all the sectarians who had arrived in the five precepts.

Decorated with Worthy Ones, by those who had become masters, by such ones.

Resembling the radiance of gold, possessing the thirty-two excellent characteristics.

Remaining for that long, he helped many people to cross.

Engaged in working for others, I have no wealth at all.

I lit a fire there, for she was strongly dark indeed.

Praised the disciple, the wearer of coarse robes.

I aspired to the highest state of being foremost among those wearing coarse robes.

'Behold this little man, poorly clothed and thin of body.

With an exultant son, joyful, unshakeable, gathered under the Sal tree.

Of one who wears coarse robes, his inclination is towards praise of that one.

Having done beautiful action in the Conqueror's Dispensation for as long as life.

On discarding the human body, I went to the Tāvatiṃsa heaven.

For a full thousand years in hell, I burned, afflicted by pain.

Having become a human of good family, was marked with characteristics from birth.

I experienced great suffering, owing to that action.

I satisfied with almsfood, I with a gladdened mind.

On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.

After my father's passing, I was entrusted with the great kingdom.

Since the happiness of kingship is vain, therefore I am Mogharāja.

I entered into pupilship of Bāvari, the foremost of the twice-born.

I asked a subtle question, to that hero, the slayer of disputants.

I do not directly know the view of the famous Gotama.

How regarding the world, does the King of Death not see one?"

Having uprooted the view of self, thus one would be a crosser over death.

Thus the Buddha spoke to me, the healer of all diseases.

Wearing the ochre robe, I was a monk, a Worthy One.

'May the dwelling not be defiled,' oppressed by wind-humour illnesses.

From that having made a double robe, I wore a coarse robe.

Established me in the foremost position among those who wear coarse robes.

Like fire without clinging, I shall be quenched, without mental corruptions.