[90. Padumapupphiya1]

I lived in a lotus forest
eating lotus flowers [back then].
I saw Phussa, the Sambuddha,
Bearing the Thirty-two Great Marks.2 (1) [1547]

Picking up a lotus flower
I tossed it up into the air.
Having done this pleasing karma
I went forth into homelessness. (2) [1548]

Having renounced, with self-control
over my body and [my] mind,
and refraining from bad speech-acts
I purified my livelihood. (3) [1549]

In the ninety-two aeons since
I offered that flower [to him],
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (4) [1550]

There were eighteen lords of the earth
[all] known as Padumābhāsa,3
and in the eighteenth aeon [hence]
there were forty-eight [such monarchs]. (5) [1551]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (6) [1552]

Thus indeed Venerable Padumapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Padumapupphiya Thera is finished.

The Summary:

Timira, Nangalipupphī,
Nipannañjalika, Adha,
two Raṃsisaññis, Phalada,
Saddasaññī and Sevaka,
Padumapupphī and verses
fifty-six have been detailed [here].

The Timirapupphiya Chapter, the Ninth.


  1. “Pink Lotus-Flower-er”

  2. of a mahāpurusa or “Great Man” destined to become a wheel-turning monarch or a Buddha.

  3. “Lotus-Light”