47.
The Chapter on Sālakusumiya
1.
The Life History of the Elder Sālakusumiya
1.
When the Blessed One, named the best of lotuses, attained final Nibbāna;
When the funeral pyre was prepared, I made an offering of sal flowers.
2.
"A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the flower that I offered;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the funeral pyre.
3.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, all existences have been uprooted;
Like an elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
4.
"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.
5.
"The four analytical knowledges, and these eight deliverances;
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sālakusumiya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The life history of the Elder Sālakusumiya is the first.
2.
The Life History of the Elder Citakapūjaka
6.
"Upon the Blessed One who was burning, Sikhi, the kinsman of the world;
Eight champaka flowers, I placed upon the funeral pyre.
7.
"Thirty-one cosmic cycles ago from now, the flower that I offered;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of honouring the funeral pyre.
8.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
9.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
10.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Citakapūjaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The life history of the Elder Citakapūjaka is the second.
3.
The Life History of the Elder Citakanibbāpaka
11.
"While the body of Vessabhū, the great sage, was burning;
Having taken scented water, I extinguished the pyre.
12.
"Thirty-one cosmic cycles ago from now, I extinguished the pyre;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the scented water.
13.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
14.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
15.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Citakanibbāpaka spoke these
verses.
The life history of the Elder Citakanibbāpaka is the third.
4.
The Life History of the Elder Setudāyaka
16.
"In the presence of the Blessed One Vipassī, as he was walking up and down;
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I had a bridge built.
17.
"Ninety-one cosmic cycles ago from now, when I had a bridge built;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the gift of a bridge.
18.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
19.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
20.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Setudāyaka spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Setudāyaka is the fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Elder Sumanatālavaṇṭiya
21.
"To the Blessed One Siddhattha, I gave a palm-leaf fan;
Covered with jasmine flowers, I hold this of great fame.
22.
"Ninety-four cosmic cycles ago from now, I gave a palm-leaf fan;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the fan.
23.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
24.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
25.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sumanatālavaṇṭiya spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Sumanatālavaṇṭiya is the fifth.
6.
The Life History of the Elder Avaṭaphaliya
26.
"The Blessed One named Sataraṃsī, self-become, unconquered;
The Fully Self-Enlightened One, desiring seclusion, went forth for alms.
27.
"With fruit in hand, having seen, I approached the lord of men;
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a mango fruit.
28.
"Ninety-four cosmic cycles ago from now, when I gave that fruit then;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
29.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
30.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
31.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Avaṭaphaliya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Avaṭaphaliya is the sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Elder Labujaphaladāyaka
32.
"In the city of Bandhumatī, I was a monastery attendant then;
I saw the stainless Buddha, going through the sky-path.
33.
"Having taken a breadfruit, I gave it to the foremost Buddha;
Standing in space, being peaceful, the one of great fame accepted.
34.
"Generating joy for me, bringing happiness in the present life;
Having given fruit to the Buddha, with a clear mind.
35.
"I attained joy then, extensive and highest happiness;
A jewel arises indeed, for one reborn here and there.
36.
"Ninety-one cosmic cycles ago from now, when I gave that fruit then;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
37.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
38.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
39.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Labujaphaladāyaka spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Labujaphaladāyaka is the seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka
40.
"Having seen the Buddha in the midst of the forest, intent upon the good, of great fame;
With a confident mind, glad at heart, I gave a fruit of the wave-leafed fig tree.
41.
"In eighteen hundred cosmic cycles, the fruit that I gave then;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of giving fruit.
42.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
43.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
44.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Pilakkhaphaladāyaka is the eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Elder Sayaṃpaṭibhāniya
45.
"Like a shining hump of a bull, the god of gods, the lord of men;
Proceeding along the road, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
46.
"Having removed the darkness of ignorance, having helped many people cross over;
Shining with the light of knowledge, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
47.
"With a hundred thousand masters, the leader of the world being led;
Lifting up many beings, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
48.
Beating the drum of the Teaching, crushing the groups of sectarians;
Roaring the lion's roar, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
49.
"As far as from the Brahma world, having come together with the Brahmās;
They ask subtle questions, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
50.
"Having made a salutation with joined palms, those together with the gods implore him;
By that they experience merit, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
51.
"All people, having assembled together, invite the one with vision to admonish;
When requested, he does not waver, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
52.
"When he enters the city, many drums resound;
Intoxicated elephants trumpet, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
53.
"For one going along the road, whose radiance always shines in all directions;
The high places become level, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
54.
"When the Buddha speaks, it is heard even to the world-circle;
He informs all beings, who, having seen him, is not pleased?
55.
"A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, when I praised the Buddha;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of praising.
56.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
57.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
58.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Sayaṃpaṭibhāniya spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Sayaṃpaṭibhāniya is the ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Elder Nimittabyākaraṇiya
59.
"Having plunged into the Himalaya, I then recited charms at a great festival;
Fifty-four thousand pupils attended upon me.
60.
"All have studied and attained the highest knowledge, having reached perfection in the six factors;
Proud of their own knowledge and learning, they dwell in the Himalayas.
61.
"Having passed away from the Tusita realm, the young god of great fame;
Was born in his mother's womb, fully aware and mindful.
62.
"When the Self-enlightened One was arising, the ten thousand trembled;
The blind obtained vision, when the Leader was arising.
63.
"In every way this entire earth trembled;
Having heard the resounding sound, the great multitude became frightened.
64.
"All people, having assembled together, came to my presence;
The earth trembled, what will be the result?
65.
"I said to them then, 'Do not fear, there is no danger for you;
Be confident, all of you, this arising is auspicious.'
66.
"By eight causes coming into contact, the earth quakes;
Likewise signs appear, the radiance vast and great.
67.
"Without doubt the Supreme Buddha, the one with vision, will arise;
Having convinced the populace, I spoke about the five precepts.
68.
Having heard the five precepts, and the rare arising of a Buddha;
They became glad-minded, stirred with excitement, satisfied and joyful.
69.
"Ninety-two cosmic cycles ago from now, the sign that I explained;
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of the explanation.
70.
"Mental defilements have been burnt by me, etc.
I dwell without mental corruptions.
71.
"Indeed welcome it was for me, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
72.
"The four analytical knowledges, etc.
the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the Venerable Elder Nimittabyākaraṇiya spoke these
verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nimittabyākaraṇiya is the tenth.
The Sālakusumiya Chapter is the forty-seventh.
Its summary:
The elder Sālakusumiya, Pūjaka and Nibbāpaka too;
Setuda and Tālavaṇṭī, and Avaṭalabujappada.
Pilakkhapaṭibhānī too, and Veyyākaraṇiya the twice-born;
Seventy-two verses, counted by the wise.
