56.
The Chapter on Yasa
1.
The Life History of the Elder Yasa
1.
A well-fashioned pond, resounding with the singing of ruddy geese.
2.
And a river flows there, with good fords, delightful.
3.
Resounding with peacocks and herons, with cuckoos and other lovely ones.
4.
Partridges and myna-birds here, fire-birds and jīvañjīvaka birds.
5.
Accomplished with the seven treasures, with gems, pearls and coral.
6.
They illuminate the dwelling by day and night, at all times.
7.
Sixteen thousand women surround me always.
8.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I paid homage to him of great fame.
9.
That wise one consented, the wise one, the leader of the world.
10.
Having paid respect to the Perfectly Enlightened One, I approached my dwelling.
11.
'In the earlier period of the day, the Buddha will come to the dwelling.'"
12.
We too shall honour the Buddha, the foremost, the Teacher.'
13.
With a hundred thousand masters, the leader of the world approached.
14.
On a chair entirely made of gold, the highest of men sat down.
15.
Fans blow forth, upon the unsurpassed community of monks.
16.
A pair of cloths to each, I gave to the community of monks.
17.
Having sat down in the community of monks, he spoke these verses.
18.
Him I will explain, listen to me as I speak.
19.
A thousand times this one will be a king, a universal monarch.
20.
He will wear a roof entirely made of gold.
21.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
22.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, he will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.
23.
They hold an umbrella over the funeral pyre, beneath the umbrella you are burnt.
24.
In a pavilion or at the root of a tree, fear is not found in me.
25.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving all.
26.
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
27.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
28.
The six higher knowledges have been realised, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Yasa spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Yasa is the first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Nadīkassapa
29.
Was walking for almsfood, bearing the highest fame;
Having taken the highest fruit, I gave it to the Teacher.
30.
I have attained the unshakeable state, having abandoned victory and defeat.
31.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the foremost gift.
32.
33.
34.
Thus the Venerable Elder Nadīkassapa spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Nadīkassapa is the second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Gayākassapa
35.
Having carried the alkaline, I brought jujube to the hermitage.
36.
Approached my hermitage, illuminating all times.
37.
Having held it up with both hands, I gave the jujube to the Buddha.
38.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the gift of jujube fruit.
39.
40.
41.
Thus the Venerable Elder Gayākassapa spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Gayākassapa is the third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Kimila
42.
Having taken sal tree garlands, I had a pavilion made.
43.
I outshine other gods, this is the fruit of meritorious action.
44.
Covered with sāla flower blossoms, this is the fruit of meritorious action.
45.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
46.
47.
48.
Thus the Venerable Elder Kimila spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Kimila is the fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Vajjīputta
49.
Having risen from seclusion, went forth for alms.
50.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a fruit with its stalk.
51.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
52.
53.
54.
Thus the Venerable Elder Vajjīputta spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Vajjīputta is the fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Uttara
55.
The Blessed One, desiring seclusion, approached the Himalayas.
56.
Folding his legs crosswise, the highest of men sat down.
57.
Having grasped a well-made trident, I then go into the sky.
58.
The Buddha shines in the forest, like a king of sal trees in full bloom.
59.
Resembling the colour of a reed fire, having seen, I gladdened my mind.
60.
Having taken three flowers, I honoured the foremost Buddha.
61.
Stalks upward, petals downward, make shade for the Teacher.
62.
On discarding the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
63.
Sixty yojanas in height, thirty yojanas in width.
64.
With a hundred thousand turrets, divine mansions appeared to me.
65.
And divans made of crystal, whatever one wishes, whichever one desires.
66.
And with hair pointing upwards throughout, combined with a pillow.
67.
Whenever I wish for passage, honoured by a host of gods.
68.
A hundred yojanas all around, covered with kaṇikāra flowers.
69.
They surround me constantly, unwearied night and day.
70.
I delight in playful enjoyment, I rejoice, desiring sensual pleasures.
71.
Together with groups of women, I rejoice in the highest divine mansion.
72.
Three hundred times I was a universal monarch;
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
73.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
74.
I know no other destination, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
75.
I am not born in a low family, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
76.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
77.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
78.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
79.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
80.
I obtain all this indeed, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
81.
I always have a great following, always an assembly that cannot be divided;
I am the highest among relatives, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
82.
And also mental suffering is not found in my heart.
83.
I do not know of disfiguration, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
84.
Formerly I was born in Sāvatthī, in a very wealthy great household.
85.
Seven years old by birth, I attained arahantship.
86.
Young, I am worthy of veneration, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
87.
Having reached the perfection of direct knowledge, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
88.
Having attained perfection in the teachings, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
89.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the Buddha.
90.
91.
92.
Thus the Venerable Elder Uttara spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Uttara is the sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Other Elder Uttara
93.
Having brought together my relatives, I made an offering to the relics.
94.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the veneration of the relic.
95.
96.
97.
Thus the Venerable Elder Apara Uttara spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Other Elder Uttara is the seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Bhaddaji
98.
I pulled out lotus roots there, for the sake of food, I then.
99.
The Buddha wearing red robes, goes through the sky-path.
100.
Looking upwards, I saw the leader of the world.
101.
Honey together with lotus roots, milk, ghee and tubers.
102.
Then the compassionate Teacher, of great fame, having descended.
103.
Having accepted, the Perfectly Enlightened One gave me thanksgiving.
104.
By this gift of lotus roots, may you obtain abundant happiness.'
105.
The Perfectly Enlightened One, having taken almsfood, the Conqueror departed through the sky.
106.
Having hung the lotus root on a tree, I remembered my giving.
107.
The sky resounded, and a thunderbolt crashed then.
108.
I, sitting peacefully, there I deceased.
109.
My corpse has fallen, I rejoice in the heavenly world.
110.
Attend upon me morning and evening, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
111.
There is no deficiency in my wealth, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
112.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
113.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving lotus roots.
114.
115.
116.
Thus the Venerable Elder Bhaddaji spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Bhaddaji is the eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Sivaka
117.
Having seen his empty bowl, I filled it with food made with flour.
118.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the food made with flour.
119.
120.
121.
Thus the Venerable Elder Sivaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Sivaka is the ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Elder Upavāna
122.
Having blazed like a great mass of fire, the Perfectly Enlightened One attained final Nibbāna.
123.
Having made a pyre for the Fortunate One, they placed the body upon it.
124.
All together with gods and humans, they made a stupa for the Buddha.
125.
The third was made of silver, the fourth was made of crystal.
126.
The sixth was of emerald, above all made of jewels.
127.
The stupa was entirely made of gold, rising upward for a yojana.
128.
'We too shall build a monument, for the Protector of the World, such a one.
129.
For this Buddha monument, we shall build a mantle."
130.
The stupa, two yojanas in height, dispelled the darkness.
131.
'Humans and gods, they made a stupa for the Buddha.
132.
We too shall build a monument, for the Protector of the World, such a one."
133.
Having gathered them together as one, they covered the Buddha's stupa.
134.
Rising up three yojanas high, it was light-producing then.
135.
'Humans, gods and serpents, they made an offering to the Buddha.
136.
We too shall build a monument, for the Protector of the World, such a one."
137.
They too extended the Buddha shrine by a yojana in length.
138.
It illuminates all directions, like the risen sun.
139.
'Humans and gods, and serpents and garuḷas likewise.
140.
May we not be heedless, diligent together with the gods.
141.
We shall cover with jewels, the extended Buddha shrine."
142.
Rising up five yojanas, the stupa shone forth then.
143.
'Humans, gods and serpents, and garuḷas and kumbhaṇḍas.
144.
May we not be heedless, diligent together with the gods.
145.
With crystal we shall cover the extended Buddha shrine."
146.
Rising up six yojanas, the stupa shone forth then.
147.
'Men, deities, serpents, kumbhaṇḍas, and garuḷas likewise.
148.
We too shall build a monument, for the Protector of the World, such a one."
149.
An entirely golden monument, the gandhabbas had built then.
150.
Night and day are not discerned, there is light always.
151.
All around for a hundred yojanas, even a lamp does not blaze.
152.
They do not ascend the monument, they are lifted up into the sky.
153.
He raises up further a flag or a garland of flowers.
154.
Thus having seen, those going, all go to a good destination.
155.
Wishing to see a miracle, humans venerate the monument.
156.
Having seen the rejoicing people, thus I thought then.
157.
And this populace, satisfied, making offerings, is not devoted to another.
158.
His heir in the teachings, I shall be in the future.'
159.
Having attached it to the top of a bamboo, I raised it as a flag in the sky.
160.
Having seen the flag moved by the wind, I generate even more joy.
161.
Having paid respect to that monk, I asked about the result of the emblem.
162.
'You will always experience the result of that flag.
163.
They will constantly surround you, this is the fruit of giving a banner.
164.
They will constantly surround you, this is the fruit of giving a banner.
165.
Adorned with variegated garments and ornaments, wearing jewelled earrings.
166.
They will constantly surround you, this is the fruit of giving a banner.
167.
Eighty times as lord of the gods, you will exercise divine kingship.
168.
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
169.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
170.
Connected with meritorious action, you will become a kinsman of Brahma.
171.
You will go forth in the Dispensation of the Blessed One Gotama.
172.
By the name Upavāna, you will be a disciple of the Teacher."
173.
Well released like the speed of an arrow, I burnt up my defilements.
174.
For three yojanas all around, flags always stand raised.
175.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving a banner.
176.
177.
178.
Thus the Venerable Elder Upavāna spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Upavāna is the tenth.
11.
The Life History of the Elder Raṭṭhapāla
179.
A noble elephant was given by me, with tusks as long as a plough-pole, fully grown.
180.
Having valued all that, I had a monastery built for the Community.
181.
Having made a great flood of giving, I dedicated them to the great sage.
182.
Gladdening all people, he taught the Deathless state.
183.
Having sat down in the community of monks, he spoke these verses.
184.
I will explain the result, listen to me as I speak.
185.
Arisen in the highest Brahmā realm, and entirely made of gold are they.
186.
And fifty-eight times he will be a wheel-turning monarch.
187.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
188.
He will be reborn at that very moment in a wealthy family of great possessions.
189.
Raṭṭhapāla by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.
190.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, he will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.'
191.
Like a lump of spittle, love for wealth does not exist in me.
192.
I bear my final body in the teaching of the Perfectly Enlightened One.
193.
194.
195.
Thus the Venerable Elder Raṭṭhapāla spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Raṭṭhapāla is the eleventh.
The Yasa Chapter is the fifty-sixth.
Its summary:
Two Uttarās, Bhaddaji, Sivaka, and Upavāhana;
Raṭṭhapāla - one hundred, and ninety-five verses.
The Life Histories of the Elders is complete.
Thus far the life history of the Buddha and the life histories of the Solitary Buddhas and the life histories of the Elders
They are complete.
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One
