[33. Mahā-Kaccchchāna1]
Covering it over with gold,
I had a lion-throne fashioned
[at] the shrine known as “Paduma”
of the Lord Padumuttara. (1) [1033]
Taking an umbrella of gems
and a fan made out of ox-tail,
I placed them [there] for that Buddha,
the World’s Kinsman, the Neutral One. (2) [1034]
Throughout the earth the lesser gods
all gathered together [there] then.
“He’ll relate the karmic results
of umbrellas and seats2 of gems. (3) [1035]
We will listen to all [that’s said]
when the Teacher is speaking [thus].
We will produce great happiness
in the Buddha’s dispensation.3” (4) [1036]
Sitting down on the throne of gold,
the Self-Become One, Top Person,
encompassed by the Assembly4
[then] spoke these verses [about me]: (5) [1037]
“I shall relate details of him
who has given this throne [to me],
made of gold and [also of] gems;
[all of] you listen to my words: (6) [1038]
For thirty aeons, king of gods,
he will exercise divine rule.
A hundred leagues surrounding [him]
he will conquer with [his bright] light. (7) [1039]
Having come to the human world
he will be a wheel-turning king.
His name will be Pabhassara5
[and he will possess] great power. (8) [1040]
Like the risen hundred-rayed [sun],
whether it is day or it’s night,
that Kṣatriyan will shine forth [there]
eight cubits all around [himself]. (9) [1041]
In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world. (10) [1042]
Falling from Tusitā heaven,
incited by [his] wholesome roots,
he’ll be [born as] Brahma’s kinsman;
his name [will then be] Kaccchchāna. (11) [1043]
After he renounces [the world,]
he’ll be an arahant, undefiled.
Gotama, the Lamp of the World
will place him in a foremost place. (12) [1044]
He’ll explicate in great detail
the problems that are posed in brief.
Explicating [thus] that problem
he will fulfill [all their] desires.” (13) [1045]
Being born in a wealthy clan,
a brahmin master of mantras,
giving up [my] wealth and grain I
[then] went forth into homelessness. (14) [1046]
I explicate in great detail
[the problems] posed only in brief.
Fulfilling all of their desires
I satisfy the Best Biped. (15) [1047]
Satisfied by me, the Hero,
the Self-Become One, Top Person,
seated in the monks’ Assembly
did place me in that foremost place. (16) [1048]
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (17) [1049]
Thus indeed Venerable Mahākaccchchāna Thera spoke these verses.
The legend of Mahākaccchchāna Thera is finshed.
“Great Golden One,” a historical monk, and famous follower of the Buddha’s. See DPPN II:468ff., also cf. #528 {531}, below, which is also ascribed to this monk.↩
BJTS omits āsana (“seats”) from the compound, reading ratanāmayachattānaṃ, “of umbrellas made of gems”.↩
sammāsambuddhasāsane, lit., “in the Supreme (or Great Perfected) Buddha’s dispensation”↩
lit., “by the monks’ Assembly”↩
“Pithy Light”↩