[127. Phaladāyaka1]

I was a learned mantra-knower
who had mastered the three Vedas.
I lived in an ashram [back then,]
not far from the Himalayas. (1) [1840]

I had offerings for the fire
and some white-lotus-fruits2 as well;
having placed [these] in a bag, I’d
hung them on the top of a tree. (2) [1841]

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
with a wish for my upliftment,
came up to me while begging alms. (3) [1842]

Happy, [and] with a happy heart,
producing [supreme] joyfulness,
conveying pleasure to the world,
I gave the Buddha my fruit. (4) [1843]

The Golden-Colored Sambuddha,
Sacrificial Recipient,
the Teacher, standing in the sky,
[then] uttered this verse [about me: (5) [1844]

“Because of this gift of [some] fruit
with intention and [firm] resolve,
for one hundred thousand aeons
he’ll come to know no bad rebirth.” (6) [1845]

By means of just those wholesome roots,
I did experience happiness.
I’ve attained the unshaking state
beyond [all] conquest and defeat. (7) [1846]

In the seventh aeon ago
I was the king, Sumaṅgala,
a wheel-turner with great power,
possessor of the seven gems. (8) [1847]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (9) [1848]

Thus indeed Venerable Phaladāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Phaladāyaka Thera is finished.


  1. “Fruit Donor”

  2. the reference may be to the seed-pod of a lotus flower (Sinhala nelum-baṭa), which contains tasty nut-like seeds.