2.
The Chapter on Sīhāsaniya
1.
The Life History of the Elder Sīhāsanadāyaka
1.
When the Scriptures were widespread, when the Dispensation belonged to the public.
2.
Having made the lion's seat, I made a footstool.
3.
By that confidence of mind, I was reborn in Tusita.
4.
A mansion well made for me, fourteen in breadth.
5.
And a golden divan, in a divine mansion, was well-fashioned.
6.
Mansions and palanquins too, arise at will.
7.
All arise for me, this is the fruit of the lion's seat.
8.
I ascend the sandals, this is the fruit of the footstool.
9.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of meritorious action.
10.
Seventy-two cosmic cycles from now, three named Sumana.
11.
Accomplished with the seven treasures, lords of the four continents.
12.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sīhāsanadāyaka spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Lion-Seat Donor is first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Ekatthambhika
13.
And they went for refuge to the Buddha, they believe in the Tathāgata.
14.
Not finding a single pillar, they search in the great forest.
15.
Having raised my joined palms, I questioned the group.
16.
'We are willing to make a pavilion, but a single pillar cannot be obtained.'
17.
I will bring the pillar, may you be living at ease."
18.
Then, having turned back, they went to their own house.
19.
Joyful, with a joyful mind, I raised it up for the first time.
20.
My dwelling was lofty, risen up with seven stories.
21.
For fifty-five cosmic cycles, I was a famous king.
22.
Endowed with excellent pinnacle buildings, with a single pillar, delightful.
23.
There too my dwelling was risen up with seven stories.
24.
I experience all happiness, this is the fruit of a single pillar.
25.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of a single pillar.
26.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Ekatthambhika spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Ekatthambhika is second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Nanda
27.
A linen cloth was given by me to the self-born great sage.
28.
'By this gift of cloth, you will become golden-coloured.
29.
You will become the youngest brother of the Blessed One Gotama.
30.
Urged by the Buddha, being peaceful, then you will go forth.
31.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, you will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.'
32.
Sixty thousand cosmic cycles ago, four persons were Upacela.
33.
Accomplished with the seven treasures, lords of the four continents.
34.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Nanda spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nanda is third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Cūḷapanthaka
35.
Withdrawn from the group, he dwelt in the Himalayas then.
36.
The great hero who had recently arrived, the leader of the world, I approached.
37.
As he was entering concentration, I caused an obstacle.
38.
The Blessed One accepted, Padumuttara, the great sage.
39.
They uttered applause, the one with vision will give thanks.
40.
Holding in the sky the excellent lotus umbrella.
41.
'Him I will explain, listen to me as I speak.
42.
And thirty-four times, he will be a wheel-turning monarch.
43.
A lotus will shelter him as he stands in the open air."
44.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
45.
In the mind-made body, he will be the highest.
46.
Having experienced the highest good, they will illuminate the Dispensation.'
47.
I find no distinction in the Sakyan son's Dispensation.
48.
And my brother dismissed me, 'Go now to your own home.'
49.
Unhappy, I stood there, expectant in the ascetic life.
50.
Having taken me by the arm, he led me into the monastery.
51.
'Keep this pure,' I determined it to one side.
52.
There my mind was liberated, I attained arahantship.
53.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, I dwell without mental corruptions.
54.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Cūḷapanthaka spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Cūḷapanthaka is fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Pilindavaccha
55.
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I made an offering to the stupa.
56.
Having brought them together there, I made a meal for the Community.
57.
Sumedha by name, he gave thanks then.
58.
Eighty-six thousand nymphs delighted me.
59.
I outshine the other gods, this is the fruit of meritorious action.
60.
I was one of pure food, a universal monarch then.
61.
Humans consume rice ripening without cultivation.
62.
Even then such accomplishment of wealth arose for me.
63.
I am dear to all of them, this is the fruit of meritorious action.
64.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the offering of fragrant ointment.
65.
A king of great might, a wheel-turning monarch of great power.
66.
Having led them only to a fortunate destination, I was dear to the deities.
67.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Pilindavaccha spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Pilindavaccha is fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Rāhula
68.
In a seven-storied mansion, I spread out a mirror.
69.
Approached the perfumed chamber, the lord of bipeds, the lord of men.
70.
The Teacher, standing in the community of monks, spoke these verses.
71.
Him I will explain, listen to me as I speak.
72.
Mansions will arise, whatever are dear to the mind.
73.
A thousand times he will be a wheel-turning monarch, immediately after.
74.
Ruler of the four quarters, victorious, will be a wheel-turning monarch.
75.
Three hundred in length, combined with a square shape.
76.
Furnished with excellent pinnacle chambers, adorned with the seven jewels.
77.
Will be like the city Sudassana, of the deities.
78.
It shines brilliantly always, for eight yojanas all around.
79.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
80.
He will be the son of the Blessed One Gotama.
81.
This is impossible, that such a one would attain delight in household life.
82.
Rāhula by name, he will become a Worthy One.'
83.
Prudent, accomplished in morality, the great sage protected me.
84.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, I dwell without mental corruptions.
85.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Rāhula spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Rāhula is sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Elder Upasena Vaṅgantaputta
86.
Sitting on a mountain slope, I approached the highest among men.
87.
Having adorned the umbrella, placed it upon the Buddha.
88.
With the Buddha as the ninth there, I fed eight ascetics.
89.
By this gift of an umbrella, by the offering of the finest food.
90.
Thirty-six times as lord of the gods, he will exercise divine kingship.
91.
Principality over a district, extensive, incalculable by counting.
92.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
93.
His heir in the teachings, legitimate, created by the Teaching.
94.
Because of being all-pleasing, he will establish him in the highest state.
95.
I bear my final body, having conquered Māra with his army.
96.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Upasena Vaṅgantaputta spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Upasena Vaṅgantaputta is seventh.
The Third Recitation Section.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Raṭṭhapāla
97.
A noble elephant was given by me, with tusks as long as a plough-pole, fully grown.
98.
Having valued all that, I had a monastery built for the Community.
99.
Having made a great flood of giving, I dedicated them to the great sage.
100.
Gladdening all people, he taught the Deathless state.
101.
Having sat down in the community of monks, he spoke these verses.
102.
I will explain the result, listen to me as I speak.
103.
Arisen in the highest Brahmā realm, and entirely made of gold are they.
104.
And fifty-eight times he will be a wheel-turning monarch.
105.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
106.
He will be reborn at that very moment in a wealthy family of great possessions.
107.
Raṭṭhapāla by name, will be a disciple of the Teacher.
108.
Having fully understood all mental corruptions, he will attain nibbāna, without mental corruptions.'
109.
Like a lump of spittle, love for wealth does not exist in me.
110.
I bear my final body in the teaching of the Fully Self-Enlightened One.
111.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Raṭṭhapāla spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Raṭṭhapāla is eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Sopāka
112.
The Blessed One named Siddhattha came to my presence.
113.
Having spread out a mat, I gave a seat of flowers.
114.
And having understood my destination, spoke of impermanence.
115.
Having arisen, they cease; their appeasement is happiness."
116.
The hero rose up into the sky, like a king of swans in the firmament.
117.
Having developed it for one day, there I passed away.
118.
When the final existence was attained, I went to the realm of an outcast.
119.
Seven years old by birth, I attained arahantship.
120.
Having pleased the great elephant, I received full ordination.
121.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the gift of flowers.
122.
Developing that perception, the elimination of mental corruptions has been attained by me.
123.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sopāka spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Sopāka is ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Elder Sumaṅgala
124.
Waiting for brahmins, standing in a spacious pavilion.
125.
The guide of all the world, the Self-Become One, the foremost person.
126.
Shining like the sun, proceeding along the road.
127.
With my mind alone I invited, 'Let the great sage come.'
128.
With a thousand who eliminated the mental corruptions, approached my door.
129.
Having ascended the mansion, please sit down on the lion's seat.
130.
Having ascended the mansion, he sat down on the noble seat.
131.
That I gave to the Buddha, devoted, with my own hands.
132.
I pay homage to the foremost Buddha, oh, the greatness of the Buddha!
133.
This is your power alone, I go to you for refuge.
134.
Having sat down in the community of monks, he spoke these verses.
135.
And the Tathāgata, the self-enlightened, listen to me as I speak.
136.
Satisfied by his own deeds, he will delight in the heavenly world.
137.
Five hundred times kingship on earth, he will inhabit the earth.'
138.
Having striven in striving, mental defilements have been burnt by me.
139.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving food.
140.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sumaṅgala spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Sumaṅgala is tenth.
Its summary:
Pilindavaccha and Rāhula, Vaṅganta and Raṭṭhapāla.
And one hundred and thirty-eight verses here have been proclaimed.
The Sīhāsaniya Chapter is second.