[129. Gandhapupphiya1]

The Golden-Colored Sambuddha
Vipassi, Worthy of Respect,
Honored by [all his] followers,2
set out from the monastery. (1) [1856]

Having seen the Best of Buddhas
the Omniscient One, Undefiled,
I did scented-flower-pūjā,
happy, [and] with a happy heart. (2) [1857]

Due to that pleasure in [my] heart
for the Biped-Lord, Neutral One,
again I worshipped the Thus-Gone-One,
happy, [and] with a happy heart. (3) [1858]

In the ninety-one aeons since
I offered that flower [to him],
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (4) [1859]

In the forty-first aeon hence
the kṣatriyan named Varaṇa3
was a wheel-turner with great strength,
possessor of the seven gems. (5) [1860]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (6) [1861]

Thus indeed Venerable Gandhapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Gandhapupphiya Thera is finished.


  1. “Scented-Flower-er” or “Perfumed-Flower-er”. This is the BJTS and cty reading of the name; PTS gives Gaṇṭhipupphiya, “Knot/Joint-Flowers”.

  2. purakkhato sāvakehi, lit.,”Honored by [His] Followers” “Placed in Front by [His] Followers”

  3. according to RD, the name of a tree, Crataeva roxburghii, but he also points to Skt. varaṇa, “Causeway” “Rampart” “Wall”