[68. Ambadāyaka1]

Anomadassi, Blessed One,
while sitting on a mountain did
spread this endless world with loving-
kindness, the One Without Desires. (1) [1401]

I was a monkey at that time
in the supreme Himalayas.
Having seen Anoma, Boundless,
[my] heart was pleased in the Buddha. (2) [1402]

In the Himalayan region
mango trees were bearing fruit then.
Therefore, taking a mango fruit
I gave it, with a honey-comb. (3) [1403]

Anomadassi, the Great Sage,
Buddha prophesied this to me:
“because of both this honey-gift
and [too] this gift of mango [fruit,] (4) [1404]

you’ll delight in the world of gods
for fifty-seven aeons [hence].
You will transmigrate in a mix2
for [all] the remaining aeons. (5) [1405]

Having cast off evil karma
[and] with mature intelligence,
departing from [this] place of grief
you will destroy [your] defilements.” (6) [1406]

I’ve been tamed by the Sage So Great
by means of the superb taming.3
I’ve attained the unshaking state
beyond [all] conquest and defeat. (7) [1407]

Seventy-seven aeons [hence]4
there were fourteen [different] kings [then]
[who were all] named Ambaṭṭhaja5
wheel-turning monarchs with great strength. (8) [1408]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (9) [1409]

Thus indeed Venerable Ambadāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ambadāyaka Thera is finished.


  1. “Mango-Donor”

  2. see note to v. [1098]

  3. reading damena uttamena (BJTS, PTS alt) for dhammena yuttamena (PTS, corrupt).

  4. lit., “in the seventy-seventh aeon”

  5. “Born of Eight Mangoes”