[84. Adhopupphiya1]

The chief follower of Sikhi
was the monk known as Abhibhū,
with vast powers, a three-fold knower,
he went to the Himalayas. (1) [1518]

Back then I too was living in
the Himalayas, as a sage,
master of boundless magic power,
in a delightful ashram [there]. (2) [1519]

[Flying] like a bird in the sky,
I felt drawn to a mountain[-side].
Picking some flower[s] down below
I [then] came [up] to the mountain. (3) [1520]

Taking seven flowers I placed them
on the top of [Abhibhū’s] head.
When the hero [then] looked forward2
I departed facing the east. (4) [1521]

Having arrived at [my] ashram
I went up to my dwelling [there].
Taking ascetics’ provisions
I returned to that mountain[-side].3 (5) [1522]

A python with a frightful form,
[and] very strong, attacked me [then].
Remembering my former deed
I passed away [right] on the spot. (6) [1523]

In the thirty-one aeons since
I offered those flowers [to him],
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of flower-pūjā. (7) [1524]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (8) [1525]

Thus indeed Venerable Adhopupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Adhopupphiya Thera is finished.


  1. “Below-Flower-er”

  2. lit., “when there was looking forward by the hero [alt. wise one],” i.e., “when he saw me”.

  3. lit., “I entered into the mountain.”