[159. Punnāgapupphiya1]

Plunging into a forest grove,
I [lived there as] a hunter [then].
Seeing a laurel2 tree in bloom,
I called to mind the Best Buddha. (1) [2038]

Having plucked a flower [from it,]
well-perfumed [and] scented with scents,
having made a stupa of sand,3
I offered [it] to the Buddha. (2) [2039]

In the ninety-two aeons since
I did that flower-pūjā [then],
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. (3) [2040]

In the ninety-first aeon [thence]
lived [a ruler], Tamonuda,4
a wheel-turning king with great strength,
possessor of the seven gems. (4) [2041]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (5) [2042]

Thus indeed Venerable Punnāgapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Punnāgapupphiya Thera is finished.


  1. Punnāga-Flower-er,” punnāga being a type of flowering tree (Sinhala domba), Alexandrian laurel.

  2. punnāga

  3. lit., “in sand”

  4. = tama (darkness) plus ūna-da (less, reduced)?