Pilindavacchcha Chapter, the Fortieth

[388. {391.}1 Pilindavacchcha2]

In the city, Haṃsavatī,
I was a gate-keeper3 back then.
Undisturbable,4 boundless wealth
was heaped up for me in the house. (1) [3374]

[While] sitting down in solitude,
having [greatly] gladdened [my] mind,
seated in the splendid palace,
I contemplated thus back then: (2) [3375]

“Much wealth has been obtained by me;
I have an opulent harem.
King Ānanda,5 lord of the earth,
himself invited [me to come].6 (3) [3376]

And [now] this Buddha has been born,
the Spontaneously Born7 Sage.8
And [all this] wealth exists for me;
I will give gifts9 to the Teacher. (4) [3377]

The royal prince, [named] Paduma,10
gave splendid gifts for the Victor:
strong11 elephants and palanquins
and large12 supports13 [to hold them up]. (5) [3378]

I’ll also give gifts14 to the monks15
with virtue supremely splendid.16
I will be the instigator17
of other [things] not yet given.”18 (6) [3379]

Thinking through varied19 donations20
of which the fruit is happiness,
I lit on21 a requisites-gift,22
[which would] fulfill my intentions: (7) [3380]

“I shall donate the requisites23
for the monks of splendid virtue.24
I will be the instigator25
of other [things] not yet given.”26 (8) [3381]

Approaching the basket-makers,27
I made an umbrella to last,28
bringing together into one,
a hundred thousand umbrellas. (9) [3382]

I brought together into one,
a hundred thousand [strips of] cloth,
I brought together into one,
a hundred thousand begging bowls. (10a-b)29 [3383]

And also small knives30 [and] hatchets,31
needles32 [and] clippers for the nails.33
Having [them] made fit for that I
hung [them] beneath the umbrella. (10c-d, 11a-b) [3384]

I had fans34 made fit for that [too],
fans [made out] of palmyra [fronds],35
peacock-feathers36 and tails of yaks;37
water-strainers,38 oil-containers.39 (11c-d, 12a-b) [3385]

I likewise had made, fit for that,
needle-cases40 [and] shoulder straps41
as well as girdles for the waist42
and [also] well-constructed stools.43 (12c-d, 13a-b) [3386]

Filling vessels made for eating
and also copper [oil] beakers
with medicines, I fixed those too
on the umbrella’s underside. (13b-c, 14a-b) [3387]

I filled vessels with all [of this]:
sweet-flag,44 cuscus grass,45 licorice,46
pepper,47 also black peppercorns,48
myrobalan49 [and] ginger50 [too]. (14c-d, 15a-b) [3388]

I likewise had made, fit for that,
shoes [for the feet],51 [and] sandals52 [too],
towels53 [to use after bathing],
[and] well-constructed walking-sticks.54 (15c-d, 16a-b) [3389]

Tubes for holding herbs55 and ointments,56
sticks of caustic,57 pots to keep things,58
[locks with their] keys59 and key-cases60
sewn with [cloth] of the five colors. (16c-d, 17a-b) [3390]

I likewise had made, fit for that,
bandages61 and [also] smoke-tubes,62
lamp-holders63 and water-vessels,64
and baskets [woven] of wicker.65 (17c-d, 18a-b) [3391]

I likewise had made, fit for that,
tweezers66 [to pull], scissors [to cut],67
bags68 for [containing] medicines
and tools for removing ear-wax.69 (18c-d, 19a-b) [3392]

I [likewise] had made, fit for that,
and fixed beneath [that] umbrella,
long benches70 as well as short chairs71
and couches72 fashioned with four [legs].73 (19c-d, 20a-b) [3393]

I likewise had made, fit for that,
wool cushions74 and cotton cushions,75
cushions [fashioned] for the small chairs
and very well made pillows76 [too]; (20c-d, 21a-b) [3394]

massaging stones77 and honeycombs,78
and oil for warming up the hands,79
small cases,80 planks81 and needles82 [too],
and a bed that was spread with rugs,83 (21c-d, 22a-b) [3395]

dwelling places84 and foot-towels85
and sticks [to use] for chairs and beds,86
toothpicks87 and [also good] tooth-sticks,88
[and] scents for smearing on the head,89 (22c-d, 23a-b) [3396]

wood for fires90 and stools [made] of straw,91
small plates for covering alms-bowls,92
ladles [which are made] for water,93
silver troughs for [storing] chunnam,94 (23c-d, 24a-b) [3397]

brooms95 and water-jugs96 and likewise
garments [to wear when] it’s raining,97
covers for the itch when sitting98
and99 intermediate robes100 [too], (24c-d, 25a-b) [3398]

monastic robes and upper robes,101
cleaners for the mouth and the nose,102
abundant salt and sour gruel,103
honey104 and soured milk to drink,105 (25c-d, 26a-b) [3399]

incense,106 lumps of boiled rice,107 and rags,108
napkins with which to wipe the face:109
whatever ought to be given
which is fitting for the Teacher,
after assembling all of that
I went up to [King] Ānanda.110
After going up to the king,
the father111 of the Greatest Sage,112
having saluted with [my] head,
I spoke these words [to him back then]: (26c-d, 27-28) [3400-3401]

[Protagonist:]113
“Together [we were] born [and] raised;
[we] are both of a single mind,114
and115 in common [we] both follow
[one course] through happiness and pain.”116 (29) [3402]

[King:]
“O conqueror of foes117 you have
dissatisfaction118 in the mind.
If you can, warrior, you should
remove that dissatisfaction. (30) [3403]

Your dissatisfaction is mine;119
[we] are both of a single mind.120
Know mine as ‘eliminated’
if yours [has been expelled as well].” (31) [3404]

[Protagonist:]
“Know of me,121 O great king, that my
suffering122 is hard to remove.
[If you’re] able123 you should shout124 [it]: (32) [3405]

one125 boon126 hard for you to grant127 [me].”
[King:]
“As long as [I have] victory,
to the [whole] extent of my life,
if it would be useful128 to you,
without wavering I’ll give129 [it].” (33) [3406]

[Protagonist:]
“This has been roared130 by you O king,131
[but] too much roaring would be wrong.”
[King:]
“Today I’ll recognize you as
the one supported in all things.”132 (34) [3407]

[Protagonist:]
“[When] you know [what] I [want to] give
you’ll obdurately133 put [me] down.”134
[King:]
“What’s the point of me stopping you?135
You should declare your wish to me!” (35) [3408]

[Protagonist:]
“I am desirous, O great king,
of feeding [him], the Sambuddha,
the Best Buddha, the Unexcelled;
do not let my life be wasted!”136 (36) [3409]

[King:]
“I’ll137 give a different boon138 to you:
the Thus-Gone-One’s not to be begged;139
to no one should the Thus-Gone-One
be given, like a wishing-gem.”140 (37) [3410]

[Protagonist:]
“O king did you not [just] say141 [that]
you’d even [give me] your own142 life?
The Thus-Gone-One is fit to give
by one giving [his very] life.” (38) [3411]

[King:]
“The Great Hero is kept apart;
to no one should he143 be given.
The Buddha’s not promised by me;
choose144 limitless riches [instead].” (39) [3412]

[Protagonist:]
“Let us arrive at a judgement;
we’ll question in a court of law.
They145 will declare the proper path;146
we will inquire about it thus.” (40) [3413]

Having taken the king in hand,
I [then] went to the court of law.
[There], in front of [all] the judges,147
I spoke these words [to them back then]: (41) [3414]

[Protagonist:]
“Listen to me, O [you] judges:
the king did give a boon to me.
Without excepting anything
he offered even [his own] life.148 (42) [3415]

When he had given me [that] boon,
I wished for the Best of Buddhas.
The Buddha’s well-given to me;
otherwise I am full of doubt.”149 (43) [3416]

[Judges:]
“We’ll listen150 to [these] words of yours
[and] of the earth-protecting king.
Listening to the words of both
we shall cut off [all of] your doubts. (44) [3417]

O king, [did] you give everything,
to this man, all-inclusively,151
without excepting anything,
[and] offer even [your own] life?” (45) [3418]

[King:]
“Fallen into misery,152 he
requested an unexcelled boon.
Knowing him to be so upset,153
I gave [it], all-inclusively.” (46) [3419]

[Judges:]
“You are defeated [here], O king;
the Thus-Gone-One should be given.
The doubts of both have been cut off;
stand firm in [this,] the proper path.”154 (47) [3420]

[Protagonist/narrator:]
The king being put in [his] place
[then] said these [words] to the judges:
[King:]
“Fair155 to me too you should return156
[him]; again I’ll get the Buddha.” (48) [3421]

[Judges, to protagonist:]
“Having fulfilled your intentions,
after feeding the Thus-Gone-One,
you should return157 the Sambuddha
to [King] Ānanda of [great] fame.” (49) [3422]

[Protagonist:]
Having saluted the judges
and also the king,158 Ānanda,
[then] happy, being delighted,
I went up to the Sambuddha. (50) [3423]

Having approached the Sambuddha,
the Flood-Crosser, the Undefiled,
after saluting with [my] head,
I spoke these words [to him back then]: (51) [3424]

“Give your consent, O Eyeful One,
causing [my] heart to [start] laughing;
approach my residence along
with the hundred thousand masters.”159 (52) [3425]

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
the Eyeful One gave [his] consent,
discerning what I was thinking. (53) [3426]

Perceiving [that he gave] consent,
after saluting the Teacher,
happy, with rapture in [my] heart,
I went up to my residence. (54) [3427]

Assembling friends and ministers
I spoke these words [to them back then]:
“I got what’s very hard to get,
just like a wish-fulfilling gem.” (55) [3428]

[Friends and Ministers:]
“With what [then] will we worship160 him?
The Victor161 is the Boundless One,162
Beyond Compare,163 Unmatched,164 Hero,165
Unmeasurable,166 Unequaled.”167 (56) [3429]

And thus also Always the Same,168
Without a Second,169 Bull of Men.170
Service that’s hard for you to do
is suitable for the Buddha. (57) [3430]

Assembling varied flowers let
us make a floral pavilion.171
That is what befits the Buddha;
there will be everything-pūjā.” (58) [3431]

[Protagonist:]
I made that pavilion [out of]
blue lotuses,172 pink lotuses,173
jasmine174 and atimuttaka,175
champak176 and ironwood flowers.177 (59) [3432]

I spread one hundred thousand seats,
[which were] shaded with umbrellas.
The meanest seat, [reserved] for me,
was superb [and] worth one hundred. (60) [3433]

I spread one hundred thousand seats,
[which were] shaded with umbrellas.
After preparing food and drink,
I announced the time [to begin]. (61) [3434]

When I announced [that it was] time,
the Great Sage, Padumuttara,
[then] arrived at my residence
with the hundred thousand masters. (62) [3435]

The Supreme Person [then] sat down,
with the hundred thousand masters,
on the flowery floral stage178
[with] the umbrella borne on top. (63) [3436]

In proper form179 and without flaws,
the Eyeful One did [then] accept
the hundred thousand umbrellas,
[and too] the hundred thousand seats. (64) [3437]

Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
wishing to ferry me across,
accepted [those things], the Great Sage. (65) [3438]

One for [every] one [of the] monks,180
I gifted an alms-bowl to each.
They put down181 [their] previous182 bowls;
I carried to each a bronze183 bowl. (66) [3439]

Seven nights and days the Buddha
sat in the floral pavilion.
Awakening many beings,
he turned the wheel of the Teaching.184 (67) [3440]

While he was preaching his sermon,185
eighty-four thousand [beings then]
beneath the floral pavilion
gained insight into the Teaching.186 (68) [3441]

When the seventh day had arrived,
Padumuttara, the Great Sage,
spoke these verses [to the crowd]
from his umbrella-shaded seat: (69) [3442]

[Padumuttara Buddha:]
“I’ll relate details of this man
who gave to me, lacking nothing,
this [most] excellent offering;
[all of] you listen to my words: (70) [3443]

Tusker, solider, chariot, horse:
a four-fold army [he will get];
they will wait on him187 constantly:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts.188 (71) [3444]

Palanquins [too], which have been hitched189
to elephants [and] to horses,
will always190 be on hand for him:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts. (72) [3445]

[And] sixty thousand chariots,
all decorated and adorned,
will constantly wait on this [man]:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts. (73) [3446]

Sixty thousand instruments191 [and]
well-decorated kettle-drums192
will constantly make sound for him:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts. (74) [3447]

And women [too, all] well-made-up
numbering eight-six thousand,
with varied clothes and jewelry,
wearing earrings bearing gemstones, (75) [3448]

with long eyelashes, lovely smiles193
and slim waists, pleasant to look at,194
constantly will wait on this [man]:
that’s the fruit of everything-gifts. (76) [3449]

For thirty thousand aeons he
will delight in the world of gods.
A thousand times the lord of gods,
he will exercise divine rule. (77) [3450]

One thousand times he’s going to be
a king who turns the wheel [of law],
[and he will have] much local rule,
innumerable by counting. (78) [3451]

While he, endowed with good karma,195
is dwelling in the world of gods,
a gem-umbrella will be carried
around the world of gods for him. (79) [3452]

Whenever he should wish for shade,196
a cloth [and] flower canopy,
recognizing this man’s wishes,197
will constantly give shade [to him]. (80) [3453]

Falling from the world of the gods,
incited by [his] wholesome roots,
in accordance with [his] karma,198
he’ll be a kinsman of Brahmā.199 (81) [3454]

In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world. (82) [3455]

Seated in the monks’ Assembly,
Gotama, Bull of the Śākyans,
will place him in the foremost place
of understanding everything.200 (83) [3456]

He’ll be the teacher’s follower
by the name Pilindavacchcha.
He’ll be honored201 by202 [all] the gods,
the titans203 and music-nymphs.204 (84) [3457]

Being beloved by205 all of them,
the Buddhist monks and Buddhist nuns,
and likewise too the laypeople,
he will dwell without defilements.”206 (85) [3458]

[Protagonist:]
Karma done a hundred thousand
[aeons hence] showed me [its] fruit here:
well-liberated, arrow-quick,
I have destroyed my defilements. (86) [3459]

O! My karma was done so well
in the unsurpassed merit-field.207
Having done that act in that place208
I’ve attained the unshaking state.209 (87) [3460]

A man who gave an excellent
offering,210 which lacked for nothing,
did take precedence from the start:211
that’s the fruit of that offering. (88) [3461]

Giving umbrellas for Buddha212
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,213
I experience eight results,214
in accordance with my karma: (89) [3462]

I’m not aware of215 cold [nor] heat,
I am not soiled216 with dirt [and] dust,217
I am safe,218 free of oppression,219
[and] I am honored220 all the time. (90) [3463]

I am [a person] with soft skin,221
[my] mind is [always] very clear,222
[and] except223 for this [present] birth,
as I transmigrate in the world,224
one hundred thousand umbrellas
with all the ornaments affixed
are carried up above my head,
as a result225 of that karma. (91-92) [3464-3465]

Why226 do I lack in this lifetime227
[such] bearing of an umbrella?
Because by doing all deeds228 I’m
under nirvana’s umbrella.229 (93) [3466]

Giving clothes for the Well-Gone-One
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,230
I experience eight results,231
in accordance with my karma: (94) [3467]

As I transmigrate in the world,232
I have an unblemished233 body,
golden in color, beautiful,
endowed with majesty, and smooth.234 (95) [3468]

A hundred thousand strips of cloth,
white and yellow and [also] red
are carried up above my head:
that is the fruit of giving cloth. (96) [3469]

Silk cloth235 and woolen blankets236 too,
khoma and also cotton cloth:237
I am getting [them] everywhere,
as a result238 of [giving] them.239 (97) [3470]

Giving bowls for the Well-Gone-One
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,240
I experience ten results,241
in accordance with my karma: (98) [3471]

I am always eating [food] on
plates of gold and plates of crystal,242
also plates [fashioned] in silver
[and] plates which are made of ruby. (99) [3472]

I am safe,243 free of oppression,244
[and] I am honored245 all the time.
I’m in receipt of food [and] drink,
clothes and couches [to rest upon]. (100) [3473]

My possessions do not run out;
I’m one who has a steady heart.
I’m246 always fond of the Teaching,
have few flaws247 and am undefiled.248 (101) [3474]

In the world of gods or of men,
these virtues follow after249 [me].
Everywhere shade does not leave me,
as though [I were beneath] a tree.250 (102) [3475]

Having given the Best Buddha,
and likewise the monks’ Assembly,
numerous well-made [types] of knives,251
bound with diverse252 [styles of] binding,
I experience eight results,253
in accordance with my karma: (103) [3476]254

I am a god, and do not shake,255
perfected in self-confidence,256
[have]257 courage258 [and] virility,259
[and] my mind is always alert.260 (104) [3477]

As a result of [giving] them,261
I am receiving everywhere
knowledge which cuts off defilement
[and] fine merit without measure. (105) [3478]

With pleasure in my heart I gave262
for the Buddha [and] for the monks,263
many scissors264 which were not rough265
nor uneven,266 and were well-washed.267
I experience five results,268
in accordance with my karma: (106) [3479, 3480a-b]269

I receive due to [giving] them:
a pure heart270 [and] virility,
patience, the loving-kindness sword,271
[and] the supreme272 wisdom-weapon273
for breaking the craving-arrow:
knowledge as strong274 as a diamond.275 (107) [3480c-d, 3481]

Giving needles for the Buddha276
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,277
I experience five results,278
in accordance with my karma: (108) [3482]

Transmigrating from birth to birth,
I’m always worshipped,279 free of doubt,280
very handsome, endowed with wealth,
[and my] wisdom is very sharp. (109) [3483]

I see281 with knowledge of the facts
profound282 and subtle conditions.
My knowledge dispels [all] darkness,
just like a supreme thunder-bolt.283 (110) [3484]

Giving clippers284 for the Buddha285
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,286
I experience five results,287
in accordance with my karma: (111) [3485]

Everywhere indeed I receive
slave-girls and slaves, cows and horses,
servants and numerous watchmen,288
barbers, food-providers289 [and] cooks. (112) [3486]

Giving fans290 for the Well-Gone-One
and fans [made of] palmyra[-fronds,]291
I experience eight results,292
in accordance with my karma: (113) [3487]

I’m not aware of293 cold [nor] heat,
[and] burning fever294 is not known.
I don’t experience distress295
nor torments [which would scorch] my heart.296 (114) [3488]

All my fires have been extinguished 297
as the result of [giving] that:
the fire of lust298 and fire of hate,299
the fires of pride and of wrong views.300 (115) [3489]

Giving peacock plumes [and] ox-tails
for the monks, supreme assembly,301
I’m one whose defilements are calmed;
I am dwelling free of blemish. (116) [3490]

Giving strainers302 for the Buddha303
[and the monks who] do the Teaching,304
I experience five results,305
in accordance with my karma. (117) [3491]

Passing beyond all the others,
I receive a divine lifespan.
There’s306 always little to endure307
from thieves or [other] enemies.308 (118) [3492]

There is also no trouble done
by weapons nor by poisoning,309
There is no untimely death310 as
the result of my311 [giving] them. (119) [3493]

Giving oil-containers312 for the
Buddha313 [and also for] the monks,314
I experience five results,315
in accordance with my316 karma: (120) [3494]

[I have] a very charming form,
good speech317 and lofty intentions;318
[I have] a mind that’s not confused,
I’m guarded by all protections. (121) [3495]

Giving needle-cases319 for the
Buddha320 [and also for] the monks,321
I experience three results,322
in accordance with my323 karma: (122) [3496]

Pleasure in [my] mind [and] body324
[and] pleasure born through the senses:325
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of [giving] that. (123) [3497]

Giving shoulder straps326 for Buddha327
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,328
I experience three results,329
in accordance with my karma: (124) [3498]

I know the Great Teaching in depth;330
I recall the second lifetime;331
in every place I have good skin332
as a result of [giving] that. (125) [3499]

Giving girdles333 for the Victor334
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,335
I experience six results,336
in accordance with my karma: (126) [3500]

Steadfast337 in meditative states,338
I dwell in meditative states;
I’m in a group without factions,339
my words are always taken well.340 (127) [3501]

Mindfulness arises in me;
I do not [ever] get frightened.341
In the world of gods or of men,
these virtues follow after342 [me]. (128) [3502]

Giving stools343 for the Victor [and]
the monks who have splendid virtue,344
I’m an heir with five [different] kinds;345
I’m not shaken by anything. (129) [3503]

Whatever Teachings, heard by me,
arouse knowledge [and] mindfulness,
kept in my mind346 they don’t get lost,
becoming very well-discerned. (130) [3504]

Having given vessels and food
for Buddha [and] the supreme group,347
I experience three results,348
in accordance with my karma: (131) [3505]

I’m receiving eating vessels
made of gold [and] made of gemstones,
likewise [vessels] made of crystal
and even [those] made of rubies. (132) [3506]

[I] always [have] things to enjoy:349
wives and slaves [and] slave-girls [too],
tusker-horse-chariot-soldier,350
and the women are devoted.351 (133) [3507]

[I] always [have] things to enjoy;
I observe352 all forms of learning:353
ancient lore354 and Vedic mantras355
and many varied disciplines.356 (134) [3508]

Giving plates for the Well-Gone-One
[and] for the monks, the supreme group,
I experience three results,357
in accordance with my karma. (135) [3509]

I am receiving [costly] plates
made of gold [and] made of gemstones,
likewise [vessels] made of crystal
and even [those] made of rubies. (136) [3510]

I am also receiving plates,
made of Bodhi358 [leaves],359 made of gourds,360
and likewise made of lotus leaves,361
[and] of shells for drinking honey.362 (137) [3511]

As a result of [giving] that,
these virtues [also] are received:
good conduct363 in vows for virtue,364
and with respect to good manners.365 (138) [3512]

Giving medicines for Buddha366
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,367
I experience ten results,368
in accordance with my karma. (139) [3513]

I’m369 long-lived, strong [and] heroic,
beautiful, famous and happy,
free of oppression,370 [also] safe,371
[and] I am honored372 all the time.
I’m not kept apart from loved ones,
as a result of [giving] that. (140) [3514]373

Giving shoes374 for the Victor [and]
monks of supreme splendid virtue,
I experience three results,375
in accordance with my karma. (141) [3515]

[First], palanquins which have been hitched376
to elephants [and] to horses,
[numbering in all] six million,
are waiting on me all the time. (142) [3516]

As I transmigrate in the world,377
sandals378 made of gems [and] of wool,379
[also made of] gold [and] silver
come to be; [they] lift up [my] feet.380 (143) [3517]

They are running381 toward the right way382
[and] purify guilty conduct.383
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of [giving] that. (144) [3518]

Giving sandals384 for the Buddha385
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,386
having put on magic sandals,387
I reside according to wish.388 (145) [3519]

Giving napkins to wipe the face389
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,390
in accordance with my karma. (146) [3520]

Golden-colored [and] unblemished,
beautiful [and] endowed with strength,
my body is very smooth [and]
I am not soiled391 with dirt [and] dust.392
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of [giving] that. (147) [3521]393

Giving walking-sticks for Buddha394
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,395
I experience six results,396
in accordance with my karma. (148) [3522]

Numerous sons are [born] to me,
I do not [ever] get frightened;397
there’s398 always little to endure,399
I’m guarded by all protections.
I do not know [any] failure;400
my mind is not out of control.401 (149) [3523]402

Having given herbs403 [and] ointments404
for Buddha and the supreme monks,405
I experience eight results406
in accordance with my karma. (150) [3524]

I’m one whose eyes are [always] large,
[whether they’re]407 white, yellow [or] red.
[My] eyes are unsullied and clear408
and [they] are free of all disease.409 (151) [3525]

I am receiving “divine eye,”
the unsurpassed eye of wisdom.
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of [giving] that. (152) [3526]

Giving keys410 for the Well-Gone-One
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,411
I’m receiving the knowledge-key
which unlocks the door of Dhamma.412 (153) [3527]

Giving key-cases for Buddha413
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,414
I experience two results,415
in accordance with my karma:
as I transmigrate in the world,416
[there’s] little anger,417 no sorrow.418 (154) [3528]419
Giving bandages for Buddha420
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,421
I experience five results,422
in accordance with my karma. (155) [3529]

Steadfast423 in meditative states,424
I dwell in meditative states;
I’m in a group without factions,425
my words are always taken well.426
As I transmigrate in the world,427
there’s428 great wealth of possessions.429 (156) [3530]430

Giving smoke-tubes431 for the Victor
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,432
I experience three results,433
in accordance with my karma. (157) [3531]

My conscience434 is never435 crooked,
[and my] muscles436 are well-defined;437
I’m receiving the “divine eye”
as a result of [giving] that. (158) [3532]

Giving lamp-plates438 for the Buddha439
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,440
I experience three results,441
in accordance with my karma. (159) [3533]

I’m well-born,442 have a good body,443
[and I] am wise,444 revered as smart.445
I am receiving these virtues
as a result of [giving] that. (160) [3534]

Giving vessels446 and baskets447 for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience ten results,448
in accordance with my karma. (161) [3535]

I’m always guarded,449 have great fame,450
[and] happiness,451 likewise [my] state;452
I’m devoted,453 and delicate,454
[and] kept away from all distress.455 (162) [3536]

I’m a recipient of great456
qualities457 for my occupation,458
of vessels and of baskets [too];
I’m one whose troubles are removed.459 (163) [3537]

I’m receiving the four colors
of elephants, horses and gems.
Those things do not [ever] run out:
that’s the fruit in vessel-giving. (164) [3538]

Giving tubes for storing ointment460
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,461
in accordance with my karma. (165) [3539]

All the time I have a body
endowed with all auspicious marks,462
fitted with [long] life and wisdom,463
liberated from all sorrows.464 (166) [3540]

Giving scissors465 which were slender466
[and] very sharp467 [too] for the monks,468
I get the knowledge, unmatched469 and
pure, which cuts off the defilements. (167) [3541]

Giving tweezers470 for the Buddha471
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,472
I get the knowledge, unmatched473 and
pure, which pulls out the defilements. (168) [3542]

Giving nose-[cleaners]474 for Buddha475
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,476
I experience eight results,477
in accordance with my karma. (169) [3543]

I have faith478 [and] morality,479
shame,480 the virtue of fearing sin,481
[I’m] happy, generous, patient,
and wisdom is [my] eighth virtue. (170) [3544]

Giving short chairs482 for the Buddha483
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,484
I experience five results,485
in accordance with my karma. (171) [3545]

I’m born in an eminent clan,486
I become a very rich man,487
everyone is honoring me,488
glory is arising for me.489 (172) [3546]

For one hundred thousand aeons
palanquins atop four horses490
are constantly waiting on me,
enjoying giving [them] away.491 (173) [3547]

Giving cushions492 for the Buddha493
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,494
I experience six results,495
in accordance with my karma. (174) [3548]

[My] body is proportional,496
I’m honored,497 gentle,498 good-looking,499
I get an entourage that’s smart:500
that’s the fruit of giving cushions. (175) [3549]

Cotton mattresses501 and varied502
coverlets of wool503 and of silk;504
I receive various sorts of
fine hemp cloth505 and woolen blankets.506 (176) [3550]

And cloaks507 which are soft [on the skin,]
and soft leather508 and bamboo509 ones;
I am receiving varied rugs:510
that’s the fruit of giving cushions. (177) [3551]

As far back as I remember,511
ever since I reached discretion,512
not vain,513 meditation’s my bed:514
that’s the fruit of giving cushions. (178) [3552]

Giving pillows515 for the Victor
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,516
I experience six results,517
in accordance with my karma. (179) [3553]

I am being cushioned upon518
pillows made of wool and lotus
and also of red sandalwood;
I have519 an outstanding body.520 (180) [3554]

The excellent Eightfold Path and
the four fruits that come from monkhood:
knowledge of these is brought [to me]
[and] I dwell521 [there] all of the time. (181) [3555]

Giving,522 taming,523 and self-control;524
[and] the [four] forms of boundlessness:525
knowledge of these is brought [to me]
[and] I dwell526 [there] all of the time. (182) [3556]

Vows527 and virtues528 and practices,529
also the [types of] good manners:530
knowledge [of these] is brought [to me]
[and] I dwell531 [there] every day. (183) [3557]

Walking back and forth532 or striving;
exertion which leads to wisdom:533
knowledge of these is brought [to me];
I dwell534 according to my wish. (184) [3558]

Morality,535 meditation536
and wisdom,537 unsurpassed freedom:538
knowledge of these is brought [to me]
[and] I dwell539 [full of] happiness. (185) [3559]

Giving straw stools540 for the Victor
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,541
I experience four results,542
in accordance with my karma. (186) [3560]

I’m finding the best palanquins,
made of gold [and] made of gemstones,
made of ivory [and] fine wood:543
that’s the fruit of stools [made] of straw. (187) [3561]

Giving footstools544 for the Victor
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,545
I experience two results,546
in accordance with my karma. (188) [3562]

I receive many vehicles:547
that is the fruit of a footstool.
Slave-girls and slaves and [also] wives
and [all my] other dependents
do properly548 look after me:
that is the fruit of a footstool. (189) [3563]549

Giving oils for anointing550
for Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,551
in accordance with my karma. (190) [3564]

Lack of illness, having beauty,
[and] quickly grasping552 the Teaching,
receiving of [much] food [and] drink,
[and long] life553 is the fifth for me. (191) [3565]

Giving clarified butter554 for
monks of supreme, splendid virtue,
I experience five results,555
in accordance with my karma. (192) [3566]

I am strong, endowed with beauty,
always happy556 and born slender.557
I am free of disease, and pure:
that is the fruit of [giving] ghee. (193) [3567]

Giving cleaners for the mouth558 for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I experience five results,559
in accordance with my karma. (194) [3568]

I have a clean throat560 [and] sweet sound,561
I am free of coughs of asthma,562
and the scent of blue lotuses563
is always wafting from [my] mouth. (195) [3569]

Giving well-prepared564 milk-curds565 for
the Buddha and the supreme group,
I’m enjoying566 ambrosial567 things568
[and] mindfulness of [my] body.569 (196) [3570]

Giving honey with570 color, scent
[and] taste for Buddha571 [and] the group,
I [now] drink the juice of freedom,572
which is unmatched,573 beyond compare.574 (197) [3571]

Giving actual575 juice for the
Buddha and for the supreme group,
I experience the four fruits,576
in accordance with my karma. (198) [3572]

Having given food [and] drink for
the Buddha and the supreme group
I experience ten results,577
in accordance with my karma. (199) [3573]

[I am] always long-lived [and] strong,
a hero, beautiful, famous
and happy; a recipient
of food and drink, courageous,578 smart.579
As I transmigrate in the world,580
I am receiving these virtues. (200) [3574]581

Giving incense582 for the Buddha583
[and] the monks of splendid virtue,584
I experience ten results,585
in accordance with my karma. (201) [3575]

[My] body smells good,586 I’m famous,
quick-thinking587 as well as clever;588
[I have] sharp, extensive wisdom;589
I have bright590 [and] deep wisdom. (202) [3576]

As I transmigrate in the world,591
I have wide and alert wisdom.592
Now, because of [giving] that, I’ve
attained auspicious, happy peace.593 (203) [3577]

My being in Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (204) [3578]

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. (205) [3579]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (206) [3580]

Thus indeed Venerable Pilindavacchcha594 Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Pilindavacchcha595 Thera is finished.


  1. Apadāna numbers provided in {fancy brackets} correspond to the BJTS edition, which contains more individual poems than does the PTS edition dictating the main numbering of this translation.

  2. cf. #15, and note, above. BJTS spells the name Piḷindavacchcha. He seems to have been a historical monk, much-mentioned in the canon and commentaries. “Pilinda” was his given name, “Vacchcha” refers to his gotta (lineage).

  3. dovārika fr. dvāra. Cty (p. 480) explains that he was a very rich man (mahaddhano mahābhogo) born in a gate-keepers’ clan (dovārikakule nibbatto), which might imply that he himself was not engaged in such labor (the term can also mean “janitor). Later however (p. 481) Cty stipulates that he himself was the keeper/protector of the king’s gate (rañño gehadvāre dvārapālako), perhaps suggesting that this was a position of some status.

  4. akkhobhaŋ, lit., “unshaken,” “unperturbed.” BJTS gloss gives niravul, unadulterated, unconfused, untroubled, clear. Cty explains that his wealth was such that “it was not able to be disturbed, scattered, by the king nor by the other favorites [of his]”

  5. “Joy”

  6. BJTS gloss understands this to mean that the king invited the protagonist to come and join in his almsgiving to the Buddha’s foremost monks. But that is not specified in the text. I understand being invited by the king himself to be a more general indication of his high status, paralleling his possession of wealth and of an opulent harem.

  7. adhiccchchuppattiko, “the Spontaneously Produced One”

  8. muni

  9. dānaŋ

  10. reading Padumena with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS Padume. The term means “Lotus” and in the PTS reading would agree with “Victor,” also a distinct possibility given that the Buddha in question was Padumuttara, “Supreme Lotus”

  11. hatthināge = “Nāga elephants,” implying elephants which are particularly strong or stately

  12. anappakaŋ, lit., “not tifling,” “not diminutive.” The implication seems to be that the supports were large, strong, steady, etc., as one would want for elephants and regal palanquins.

  13. I followed JPTS in reading apassenañ for PTS appassenañ (“little armies”). BJTS glosses “boards/plants for holding in place”

  14. dāna

  15. saṅgha

  16. guṇavaruttama. JPTS reads here and below gaṇa°, “the supremely splendid group”

  17. ādikammika, lit., “beginning-maker.” Dāna to the saṅgha regularly — and especially in this context — involves enormous expenditures of energy by numerous individuals; the sense here seems to be that the protagonist organizes, oversees and funds the donation.

  18. adiṇṇapubbaŋ, lit., not given formerly” “not given in the past”

  19. bahuvidhaŋ

  20. yāge, sing. yāga meaning “sacrifice” (= Skt. yajñā) in the non-Buddhist context and “gift” or “charity” or “expenditure” or “almsgiving” in the Buddhist one.

  21. lit., “saw,” addakkhiŋ

  22. parikkhāra-dānaŋ, Sinh. pirikara dānaya, i.e., a gift of the “requisites” or parikkhāras of Buddhist monks and nuns, which are variously enumerated (often in an idealized list of eight) and may include the three monastic robes, begging bowl, razor, needle, small knives, girdle, water-strainer, umbrellas, sandals, and so forth.

  23. reading parikkhārāni with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS parikkhārāna, “of the requisites”

  24. here as above, guṇavaruttama, hence lit., “monks of supremely splendid virtue.” I leave uttama untranslated in this case, to keep the meter.

  25. ādikammika, lit., “beginning-maker.” Dāna to the saṅgha regularly — and especially in this context — involves enormous expenditures of energy by numerous individuals; the sense here seems to be that the protagonist organizes, oversees and funds the donation.

  26. adiṇṇapubbaŋ, lit., not given formerly” “not given in the past”

  27. or “reed-workers,” naḷakakāre

  28. tāvade, lit., “for all times”

  29. PTS reading here is corrupt, eliding four feet from two verses which confounds the formatting into verses. Here and in the following I take BJTS’ much preferable reading as my standard, but use the a-b-c-d convention to indicate where the different feet correspond to the PTS numbering of the verses.

  30. vāsiyo

  31. satthake

  32. cchiyo

  33. nakha-cchchedane

  34. vidhūpane

  35. tālavaṇṭe. The palmyra (tāla, Sinh. tal) tree or fan palm is Borassus flabelliformis

  36. morahatthe, lit., “peacock hairs” or “peacock hands.” Here as elsewhere, in keeping with Johnson’s critique of Boswell’s Latin translation, it is necessary to take the Pāli from the meaning, rather than the other way around

  37. cchamare [rea cchāmare], RD: a chowrie, the tail of bos grunniens used as a whisk

  38. parissāvane

  39. teladhare

  40. cchighare

  41. reading aṃsabandhe with JPTS and PTS alt for PTS aŋsabaddhe (baddha = lucky, arrow or bull)

  42. kāyabandhane

  43. ādhārake, also stand, pulpit, desk

  44. vaccha. RD “a kind of root Vin i.201=iv.35” BJTS gives vadakasā which is sweet-flag or orris root, Acorus Calamus (Araceae), Sinh. also vadakaha.

  45. RD “the fragrant root of Andropogon Muricatum (cp. bīraṇa).” Sinh. sävänna, “cuscus grass”

  46. laṭṭhimadhu, “cane-honey,” Abrus precatorius, Sinh. välmī

  47. pipphalī, Sinh. pippali mūl, the root of the long pepper, Piper longum

  48. maricchāni, black pepper, allowed as medicine for the monks

  49. harīṭaka = Sinhala araḷu, yellow myrobalan, terminalia chebula

  50. siṅgivera, Sinh. hiṅguru or iṅguru, referring to the fresh root rather than the dried or powdered spice

  51. upāhanā, Sinh. vahan

  52. pādukā, Sinh. miriväḍi

  53. udakapuñcchhane

  54. kattaradaṇḍe

  55. osadha, “medicinal ingredients, both fresh and dried medicinal herbs and plants

  56. reading osadhañjananāḷī with BJTS for PTS osadhaŋ jananāliŋ

  57. or “surgical instruments”? Salākā can also mean an arrow or dart, a peg, a blade of grass, the ribs of a parasol, a pencil or small stick for painting the eyes with collyrium (= añjana as in the previous foot), a kind of needle, a metal gong, the membrum virile or a ticket consisting of slips of wood, used in monastic voting. The chosen reading is consistent with the other medical terms in this verse.

  58. dhamma-kuttarā = Sinh. damkoturu

  59. kuñcchikā

  60. kuñcchikāghare

  61. āyoge

  62. dhūma-nette; RD: “i. e. a surgical instrument for sniffing up the smoke of medical drugs Vin i.204; ii.120; J iv.363; ThA 14”

  63. dīpadhārake

  64. tumbake, made of copper, wood or fruit (gourd, calabash, coconut shell)

  65. or boxes: karaṇḍe

  66. saṇḍāse

  67. pipphala, taking this as a shortened form of pipphalaka, see RD s.v. The term more commonly refers to the fruit of the ficus religiosa (Bodhi Tree of Gotama Buddha). BJTS glosses the term as “scissors” (katuru)

  68. °thavike

  69. malahāraka, lit., “impurity removers,” a tool resembling a tiny spoon, used for removing wax from the ears

  70. āsandiyo

  71. pīṭhake

  72. pallaṅke

  73. cchaturo-maye

  74. uṇṇā-bhisi

  75. tūla-bhisi

  76. bimbohane

  77. kuruvinde, kuruvindaka = Sinh. kurundu-gal, a stone used for rubbing the body

  78. or beeswax: madhu-sitthe

  79. telahatthappatāpakaŋ, BJTS reads telaṃ hatthappatāpakaṃ which amounts to the same thing, a little more cleanly.

  80. sipāṭī, cf. sipāṭikā, small cases (Sinh. kopuwa) or pods (karaḷa). Meaning is unclear here. BJTS glosses, “burnt shells (kabala, as of coconuts) which are kept having made them rough by drawing lines on them, or else stone planks which have been polished”.

  81. phalake

  82. cchi (PTS suci)

  83. mañcchamattharaṇena

  84. senāsane

  85. pādapuñcchhe

  86. sayanāsanadaṇḍake

  87. dantapoṇe

  88. āṭali. I do not find this in the dictionaries. BJTS glosses as dähäṭi, sticks used for cleaning the teeth.

  89. sīsālepanagandhake

  90. araṇī

  91. palālapīṭhe, BJTS reads phalapīṭhe, stools made of fruit (gourds?)

  92. pattapidhānathālake

  93. udakassa kaṭacchchu

  94. cchuṇṇakam rajata + ammaṇaṃ. Chunnam is limestone ground into a paste, mixed with betel and areca nut for chewing. This would then refer to what is called in Sinhala kiḷoti, “betel cases”

  95. sammajjanaŋ

  96. reading udapattaṃ with BJTS. PTS reads udavatthaŋ, “an upper cloth” (?)

  97. vassika-sāṭikaŋ

  98. nisīdanaŋ kaṇḍucchchādī, more commonly kaṇḍupaṭicchchādi, a cloth allowed in the Vinaya to monks suffering from the itch

  99. atha, lit., “then”

  100. antaravāsaka, one of the three robes worn by Buddhist monks and nuns

  101. uttarāsaṅga-saṅgāṭī

  102. natthukaŋ mukhasodhanaŋ

  103. reading bilaṅga-loṇaṃ pahūtaṃ with BJTS (PTS reads bhūtaŋ [“become”], which is clearly wrong not only for being nonsensical in context but also for making the foot fall short (seven rather than eight syllables).

  104. madhu

  105. dadhi-pānakaŋ. Dadhi is milk-curd or yoghurt; “for drinking” could imply that it has been blended into a drink like lassi, or could refer to drinkable whey that results from souring the milk. In the description of the ānisaṃsas, below (v. 196 [3570]) the gift is more straightforwardly just called dadhi, though the addition of “well-prepared” (sampannaŋ) does imply some sort of processing for consumption.

  106. reading dhūpaṃ with BJTS for PTS pupphaŋ, “flower”

  107. sitthaŋ

  108. pilotiñccha

  109. mukha-puñcchhana-suttakaŋ

  110. Malalasekera DPPN II:211 reads this passage to imply that the protagonist gave these fabulous gifts to the king himself, but I do not see warrant for that in the text. Indeed, it is clear that these are intended as requisites for the monks; I read v. 63 [3436] below to refer to this mega-umbrella as placed atop the Buddha.

  111. lit., “progenitor,” BJTS glosses “father”

  112. reading mahesino with BJTS for PTS mahāyasaŋ, “the progenitor of great fame”

  113. I have puzzled long over this difficult section of the text, and can only make sense of the Pāli by taking it as a dialogue involving multiple different parties: the protagonist (Rev. Pilindavacchcha in his previous life), King Ānanda, the judges in a court of law, and the protagonist’s friends and relatives; Padumuttara Buddha also speaks various lines. BJTS does not seem to be aware of this, and glosses literally without apparent understanding of some of the verses. The cty is also silent about this crucial interpretative perspective.

  114. lit., “of both there is a single thought”. PTS and BJTS alt. read yasaŋ, “of both there is a single fame.”

  115. BJTS reads va, “indeed”

  116. sukhadukkhe; PTS reads sukkhadukkhe

  117. arindama, lit., “tamer of enemies.” The term is in the vocative case, addressed to the protagonist.

  118. dukkhaŋ, “suffering”

  119. lit., “your dissatisfaction is my dissatisfaction,” i.e., “when you are troubled in the mind, I am also troubled in the mind”

  120. lit., “of both there is a single thought”. PTS reads manaŋ (“mind”) for mataṃ (“thought”)

  121. reading me with BJTS for PTS kho (an untranslatable participle)

  122. dukkha. One would prefer to remain consistent in the translation “dissatisfaction,” but “suffering” is the more commonly known term, is appropriate to this context, and work better for the meter (and rhyme) in English.

  123. reading pahu samāno (lit., “[I], being able”) with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS bahussamāno, “being many”

  124. gajjassu, 2nd. sing. imperative (attanopāda) of gajjati, lit., “roar” or “sound forth”

  125. reading ekaṃ with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS etaŋ, though the sense in either case is clear: the protagonist will suffer unless he can fulfill the king’s wishes.

  126. reading varaṃ with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS dhanaŋ, “wealth”. Vara can also mean “favor” or “blessing”

  127. reading duccchchajaṃ with BJTS for PTS duccchchajjaŋ

  128. lit., “if there is a purpose in it for you”

  129. taking dassāmi as 1st. pers. future of dadāti

  130. gajjitaŋ

  131. deva, voc.

  132. sabbadhamme patiṭṭhitaŋ

  133. atibāḷhaŋ

  134. nipīḷesi, lit., “oppress,” “press down,” “weigh down heavily,” “subjugate”

  135. reading kin te me pīlitena ‘ttho (lit., “what is the value for me through the stopping of you?”) with BJTS (and PTS alt., correct piḷite n’attho as pīlitena ‘ttho) for PTS kin te palapite n’attho

  136. reading vajjaṃ me māhu (= mā āhu) jīvitaṃ with BJTS and PTS alt. for PTS vajjaŋ me p’āhu jīvitaŋ, “life was wasted for me indeed”

  137. dammi, lit., “I am giving”

  138. varaŋ, boon, favor.

  139. BJTS reads this as an imperative: mā yācchittho for PTS ayācchittho. In either case the grammar is fuzzy — the BJTS reading assumes a plural second person imperative (a royal y’all?) while the PYS reading is not a regular form of the verb.

  140. maṇijotirasa, a gemstone which fulfills wishes, a particularly valuable gem.

  141. here to gajjitaŋ

  142. reading attano with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS atthikaŋ, “exists,” though the latter is also possible, “as long as life exists”

  143. lit., “the Victor”

  144. varassu, as second person imperative of varati

  145. BJTS glosses “the judges (adhikaraṇa nāyakayo)”

  146. PTS reads yathāsaṅhaŋ, BJTS yathāsannaṃ, neither of which is sensible. But BJTS is surely correct in glossing the term, based on context, as “the right procedure” (äti paridi). Cf. v. 47 [

  147. akkhadassānam, lit., “of those who examine the die,” by extension umpires or judges

  148. BJTS switches the second and fourth feet, reading: “Listen to me, O [you] judges:/he promised even [his own] life./Without excepting anything/the king did give a boon to me.//

  149. lit., “otherwise there is doubt for me”

  150. reading sossāma (1st person plural future of suṇāti) for PTS sussāma

  151. sabbagāhikaŋ, lit., “taking everything”

  152. kicchchapatto va hutvāna, lit., “being fallen into misery”

  153. sudukkhitaŋ, lit., “very much suffering,” “very well dissatisfied”

  154. yathāsaṇṭhamhi tiṭṭhatha; cf. above, n. to v. 40 [3413]

  155. sammā, lit., “right” “proper”

  156. deyyātha puna

  157. puna deyyāsi

  158. lit., “the kṣatriyan”

  159. vasī = “masters of the senses,” i.e., arahants

  160. lit., “do pūjā to”

  161. jina, lit., “he who has conquered”

  162. appameyya, lit., “not to be measured”

  163. anupama, lit., “for whom there is no metaphor”

  164. appaṭipuggala, “of whom there is no comparable person”

  165. vīra, lit., “virile,” “manly.” BJTS reads dhīro, “Wise One”

  166. atula, lit., “not weighable” “having no equal”

  167. asama, lit., “of whom there is not one the same”

  168. samasama, lit., “exactly the same” or “evenly even” (or, according to Sinhala usage of the same term, “Equal”). The negative of this compound, asamasama, is also used as a Buddha-epithet, meaning “Impartial” (“the same in difference”), below v. 42 of Sela-apadāna (no. 389 {392}) = [3623])

  169. adutiya

  170. narāsabha

  171. maṇḍapa

  172. uppala, Sinh. upul

  173. paduma, Sinh. piyum

  174. vassikā, Jasminum Sambac, Sinh. dǟsaman

  175. Gaertnera Racemosa, Sinh. yohombu, kōmbu, yon tumba, an annual creeper, Trichodesma zeylanicum

  176. the cchampaka (Sinh. sapu) tree is Magnolia champaca, formerly classified as michelia champaca. English names for the tree include Champak, Joy Perfume Tree, Yellow Jade Orchid Tree and Fragrant Himalayan Champaca. It was the Bodhi tree of the seventeenth Buddha of the Buddhavaṃsa, Atthadassi. It has highly fragrant cream to yellowish-colored blossoms.

  177. nāga = Sinhala , ironwood, Mesua Ferrea Linn, Bodhi tree of Mangala, Sumana, Revata, Sobhita buddhas; national tree of Sri Lanka. It has brilliant, fragrant white flowers containing four petals each, as well as a red fruit eaten by birds.

  178. maṇḍapa

  179. kappiyam

  180. reading bhikkhuno with BJTS for PTS bhikkhussa, a

  181. jahiŋsu, lit., “abandoned,” “set aside”

  182. reading pubbakaṃ pattaṃ with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS pupphakaŋ pattaŋ, “bowl of flowers”

  183. loha, which can also mean copper or brass

  184. dhammacchakkaŋ pavattayi, that is, he delivered his first sermon (which in the parallel case of Gotama Buddha, anyway, is called “The Sermon that Turned the Wheel of the Teaching” (Dhammacchakkappavattanasutta)

  185. dhammacchakkaŋ pavattento, lit., “while he was turning the wheel of the Teaching”

  186. lit., “there was an [achieving of] insight into the Dhamma of eighty-four thousand.” Dhammâbhisamaya, “insight into the Dhamma” or “entry into the Dhamma” or “comprehension of the Dhamma” or “penetration into the Dhamma” refers to the achievement of a firm grasp on the essentials of the Teaching. It is used as a technical term in the account of each Buddha in the Buddhavaṃsa, one among many categories of Buddha-achievement enumerated there.

  187. BJTS accepts the reading maṃ (“me”) though gives taṃ (‘him”) as alternate. I stick with the PTS (and BJTS alt.) reading taŋ here, recognizing that the speaker is Padumuttara Buddha, not the protagonist.

  188. sabbadānass’ idaŋ phalaŋ

  189. reading sandamānika as sandahamānika, rather than take it from sandati, to flow.

  190. niccchch, lit., constantly, permanently

  191. turiya, that is, musical instruments

  192. bheri

  193. hasulā = ?

  194. RD gives “good hips,” referring to this text. I don’t see the warrant, and take the term susaññā from saññā, sense, perception, as does BJTS

  195. lit., “meritorious karma”

  196. reading chāyaṃ with BJTS for PTS cchâyaŋ

  197. cchittaŋ, lit., “thoughts” or “mind”

  198. puññakammena, lit., “with his meritorious karma”

  199. that is, a brahmin

  200. lit., “of knowing all that”

  201. sakkata

  202. lit., “of”

  203. asurā

  204. gandhabbā

  205. lit., “of”

  206. i.e., he will become an arahant.

  207. puññakhette anuttare

  208. yattha

  209. acchalaŋ padaŋ

  210. dānavaram

  211. reading ādi pubbaṅgamo āsi with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS adipubbaṅgamo āsiŋ

  212. sugate, lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  213. lit., “monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṅe (read this as a typo for guṇa° as elsewhere) varuttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  214. aṭṭānisaŋse. I count the eight here as (1) being immune to extremes of temperature, (2) to dirt and dust, and (3) to danger; (4) being safe; (5) being honored (which is symbolized by the umbrella), (6) having soft skin (the umbrella is used for protection from the sun’s harsh rays), (7) having a clear mind and (8) having a permanent umbrella over his head during all lives except this final one.

  215. or “I do not know,” na jānāmi

  216. BJTS and PTS alt. reads limpati (“smeared”) for PTS lippati (“get soiled” according to PSI dictionary, Sinh. gälveyi; RD reads lippati as pass. of limpati), but as the former can also mean “soiled” the difference is not significant.

  217. rajojallaŋ

  218. anīti

  219. anupaddava, also “uninjured,” “safe”

  220. apacchita

  221. sukhuma-cch-chavika

  222. visadaŋ hoti mānasaŋ

  223. ṭhapetvāna, lit., “excepting” “placing aside”

  224. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  225. vāhasā

  226. reading kasmā (lit., “because of what?) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS tasmā, “therefore,” “because of that”

  227. lit., “because of what is there not for me in this birth”

  228. mama sabbaŋ kataŋ kammaŋ

  229. lit., “because of obtaining the umbrella of liberation” (vimutti-cch-chatta-pattiyā)

  230. lit., “monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  231. aṭṭānisaŋse. I count the eight here as (1) a great body, plus receipt of seven types of cloth to clothe it: (2) white, (3) yellow and (4) red cloth, (5) silk, (6) wool, (7) khoma and (8) cotton.

  232. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  233. viraja

  234. siniddha had a wide range of meanings that could refer to a beautiful body, depending on the standard for or imagination of beauty: wet, moist, oily, greasy, fatty. smooth glossy, resplendent, charming, pliable.

  235. koseyya

  236. kambala

  237. kappāsika

  238. nissandato

  239. tesaŋ is gen. pl., i.e., “as a result of those [acts of giving cloth in the past]”

  240. lit., “monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  241. dasānisaŋse. I read the ten here as: (1) eating off fancy plates, (2) being safe, (3) being free from danger, (4) being honored, (5) receiving food and drink, (6) receiving clothes and couches, (7) possessions never run out, (8) steady-hearted, (9) fond of the Teaching (Dhamma) and (10) having few flaws and being undefiled.

  242. or some other (unspecified) gem: maṇithāle

  243. anīti

  244. anupaddava, also “uninjured,” “safe”

  245. apacchita

  246. reading homi with BJTS for PTS bhomi, which is probably a misreading of “ho°”as “bho°” — an easy mistake given their similarity in the Sinhala script.

  247. appakilesa

  248. anāsava

  249. BJTS (and PTS alt.) read anubandhā for PTS anubaddhā, with the same meaning

  250. lit., “shade just like that of a tree is not abandoning me in every place”

  251. vāsī

  252. cchitta°. I follow BJTS in reading this as vicchitta, “varied”

  253. aṭṭānisaŋse. I read the eight here as: (1) being a god, (2) being unshaken, (3) being self-confident, (4) having courage, (5) being virile, (6) being mentally alert or energetic, (7) receiving defilement-eliminating knowledge and (8) receiving fine and limitless merit.

  254. PTS and BJTS agree in making this a six-footed, rather than four-footed verse. I suppose that the poets wanted to stipulate that these knives were varied in type and style, as spelled out above, and therefore were unsatisfied with the four-foot template for these statements, which would not allow for anything more than a generic “knives”.

  255. reading ‘visārī with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS visāliī (“broad one,” fr. visāla?) and taking the Sinhala gloss (sasala no vūyem) as my lead in translating.

  256. vesārajjesu, lit., “in the self-confidences (of a Buddha or arahant),” of which there are said to be four. RD, s.v.: “The four are given in full at M i.71 sq., viz. highest knowledge, khīṇāsava state, recognition of the obstacles, recognition & preaching of the way to salvation.”

  257. homi = lit., “am”

  258. dhiti

  259. viriyavā

  260. paggahita-mana, lit., “vigorously applied mind”

  261. reading tāsaṃ with PTS alt. for PTS and BJTS tassa (“of it”), and taking “them” as “those knives”

  262. lit., “having given”

  263. saṇgha

  264. satthake, a small knife or scissors, here = pipphala

  265. a-pharusa

  266. a-kakkase

  267. reading sudhote with BJTS for PTS adhote (‘unclean,” “unwashed”)

  268. pañcchānisaŋse. I read the five here as: pure-heartedness, virility, patience, loving-kindness, and wisdom.

  269. Here PTS gives two six-footed verses, whereas BJTS breaks the text into three four-footed ones. I again adopt the a-b-c-d convention, this time applied to the BJTS numbers, to indicate where the relevant material is found in both texts.

  270. kalyāṇacchittaŋ, pure or beautiful or kindly in heart

  271. metta-satthaka

  272. anuttara

  273. paññā-sattham

  274. lit., “the same as”

  275. or thunderbolt: vaijrena

  276. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  277. lit., “monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  278. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) being worshipped, (2) being free of doubt, (3) being very handsome, (4) being very rich and (5) having sharp wisdom.

  279. namassiyo

  280. kaṅkhachedo, [my] doubt is removed or cut off

  281. lit., “I saw,” passayiŋ. PTS alt. passāmi (present tense) is preferable for consistency with the use of present tense throughout this passage

  282. gambhīra, lit., “deep”

  283. or diamond, vajiraggasamaŋ. Here “thunder-bolt” is preferable given the emphasis on “dispelling darkness,” though a shiny diamond might be said to do the same thing.

  284. lit., “nail-clippers”

  285. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  286. lit., “monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  287. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as the receipt of (1) slaves, (2) domestic animals, (3) servants/attendants, (4) watchmen/guards and (5) personal attendants (who cut the hair, bring and cook the food)

  288. reading ārakkhake with BJTS for PTS ārakkhe, “protections”

  289. reading bhattake with BJTS for PTS bhatake, “servants,” already stipulated in the second foot of this verse

  290. vidhūpane

  291. lit., “good (sobhane) palmyra-leaf-fans (tālavaṇṭe)”

  292. aṭṭhānisaŋse. I count the eight here as (1) non-awareness of extreme temperatures, (2) not suffering from fevers, (3) not experiencing distress, (4) not experience torments of the heart, (5) extinguishing the fires of lust, (6) of hatred, (7) of pride and (8) of wrong views.

  293. or “I do not know,” na jānāmi

  294. pariḷāho

  295. darathaŋ, which can also mean “fever”

  296. cchittasantāpanaŋ, lit., “burning of the heart,” figurative meaning according to RD is torment, torture

  297. nibbutā

  298. rāgaggī

  299. dosaggī

  300. lit., “the fire of pride (mānaggī) and the fire of wrong views (diṭṭhi-aggī)”

  301. saṅghe gaṇuttame, lit., “to the monks’ Assembly, the supreme group”. Note that here PTS reads gaṇa (“group”) for guṇa (“virtue”) in these recurring compounds, as does BJTS quite consistently.

  302. parissāvane

  303. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  304. reading dhammakaruttame (lit., “supreme doers of the Teaching”) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS gaṇuttame (“supreme group”)

  305. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) divine lifespan, (2) little to endure from thieves and enemies, (3) no trouble from weapons or (4) from poison, and (5) no premature death.

  306. lit., “I am one who…”

  307. appasayha

  308. cchora-paccchchatthikehi vā

  309. lit., “by poison”

  310. antarāmaraṇa

  311. reading mama (gen.) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS mamaŋ (gen. or acc.)

  312. teladhare

  313. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  314. lit., “for the monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  315. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) charming form, (2) good speech, (3) lofty intentions (or mental activity), (4) lack of mental confusion or disturbance and (5) being guarded by all [forms of] protection.

  316. reading mama (gen.) with BJTS for PTS mamaŋ (gen. or acc.)

  317. reading sugado with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS sugato, “well-gone”

  318. susamuggata-mānasa

  319. cchighare

  320. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  321. lit., “for the monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  322. tīnānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) mental pleasure, (2) bodily pleasure and (3) pleasure born through the senses.

  323. reading mama (gen.) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS mamaŋ (gen. or acc.)

  324. lit., “mental pleasure and bodily pleasure”

  325. iriyāpathaja

  326. reading aṃsabandhe with JPTS and PTS alt for PTS aŋsabaddhe (baddha = lucky, arrow or bull)

  327. lit., “for the Victor” (jine)

  328. lit., “for the monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  329. tīnānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) deep understanding of the Teaching (or mind-reading), (2) recalling the second lifetime, and (3) having good skin.

  330. sadhamme gādhaŋ vindāmi, lit., “I know the depth in the Great Teaching.” BJTS (and PTS alt.) read cchetoñanañ ccha vindāmi, “I know the knowledge of mind,” which BJTS glosses as knowing the knowledge in the minds of others, i.e., mind-reading.

  331. dutiyaŋ bhavaŋ, BJTS glosses deveni bhavaya. I gather this means “I remember as far back as two previous lifetimes.” Or does it refer to the second of the three states of existence (also bhava), i.e., the formed (rūpa) state of existence?

  332. succhchavi homi

  333. kāyabandhane

  334. reading jine with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS sugate (“Well-Gone-One”), which a produces a metrically-unsound sound verse.

  335. lit., “for the monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  336. chānisaŋse. I count the six here as (1) not shaking in meditative states, (2) dwelling in meditative states, (3) being in groups without factions, (4) speaking words that are always acceptable or pleasant or well-taken, (5) possessing mindfulness (sati), and (6) having no fear.

  337. na kampāmi, lit., “I do not shake (tremble, waver)”

  338. samādhīsu, lit., “among the samādhis. The plural suggests various types of samādhi or different sorts of meditative states.

  339. abhejjapariso homi

  340. ādeyyavacchano sadā

  341. tāso na mayhaŋ vijjati, lit., “fear is not found of mine”

  342. BJTS (and PTS alt.) read anubandhā for PTS anubaddhā, with the same meaning

  343. ādhārake, also stand, pulpit, desk. BJTS understands this as a stand on which to place the alms-bowl.

  344. lit., “for the monks of supreme [and] splendid virtue”: saṅghe guṇavaruttame. As elsewhere, BJTS reads gaṇavaruttame, “supreme splendid group”

  345. pancchavaṇṇehi dāyādo is an enigmatic foot, given the wide semantic range of vaṇṇa (color, caste, appearance, luster, beauty, expression, kind or sort, timbre, constitution, likeness, property, praise, reason. BJTS SInhala gloss speculates that it could mean “‘an heir with five different sorts’ or else ‘someone who has received five forms of power (anusas = anuhasa)’”. The ambiguity is preserved in my choice of “kind” as the translation here: not specifying five kinds of what leaves the foot open to the widest range of interpretations, though admittedly in and of itself conveys little meaning other than uncertainty.

  346. reading dhatā with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS vatā, “vows,” i.e., “my vows do not perish”

  347. here PTS also reads gaṇuttame rather than, as above, guṇ°

  348. tīṇānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1)

  349. here and in the next verse I read paribhogāni sabbadā with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for paribhogādisampadā, “attainment of things to enjoy etc.” Paribhoga could refer to “usefulness” as well as “enjoyableness”

  350. that is, a four-fold army

  351. itthī patibbatā c’eva, “the women are even devoted wives!”

  352. nisāmemi

  353. sabbaŋ sippaŋ (Skt. śilpa), all the liberal arts, all types of knowledge or learned skills

  354. vijjā

  355. mantapade

  356. āgame

  357. tīṇānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) receipt of costly plates, (2) receipt of organic plates and (3) receipt of virtues as stipulated

  358. assatthaka, “of the aśvattha [tree],” Ficus religiosa, Bodhi Tree of Gotama Buddha

  359. as a sacred tree, it is unlikely that Ficus religiosa wood is intended here. I’m not sure what a plate made of its leaves would be like, but that seems a better interpretation.

  360. phalamaye, lit., “made of fruits.” I follow BJTS in taking this as a reference to the “fruit” of labu, the gourd, contra RD, phalamaye s.v., who says this is an abbreviated form of phalikāmaye, unlikely at least in the present case since plates made of crystal have been mentioned in the previous verse.

  361. pokkharapattake

  362. madhupānakasaṅkhe. Saṅkhe can refer to conch shells, as well as mother-of-pearl.

  363. reading paṭipatti with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS paṭilabhe, “are received”

  364. vatte guṇe, BJTS glosses: vatāvat guṇehi

  365. ācchārakiriyāsu ccha, or “among the forms of right practice”

  366. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  367. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  368. dasānisaŋse. I count the ten here as (1) long life, (2) physical strength, (3) heroism, (4) beauty, (5) fame, (6) happiness, (7) freedom from oppression, (8) safety, (9) honor, and (10) being together with loved ones.

  369. reading homi with BJTS for PTS bhomi, which is probably a misreading of “ho°”as “bho°” — an easy mistake given their similarity in the Sinhala script.

  370. anupaddava, also “uninjured,” “safe”

  371. anīti

  372. apacchita

  373. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  374. upāhane

  375. tīṇānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) waited upon by palanquins (2) arising of costly shoes (3) shoes purify guilty conduct

  376. reading sandamānika as sandahamānika, rather than take it from sandati, to flow.

  377. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  378. °pādukā

  379. reading kambalikā with BJTS for PTS maṇḍalikā, “district officers”

  380. taking paduddhāre as pada (foot) + uddhāra (from the basic meaning of uddharati, “lifts up”), though RD says the compound is used in SnA to mean “synopsis of a verse,” lit., “removal of the feet”

  381. paṭidhāvanti (BJTS read pati°)

  382. reading niyāmaṃ with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS niyamaŋ, (“restraint,” “limitation,” “cosmic law”)

  383. reading āgu-ācchāra-sodhanaṃ with BJTS for PTS ācchāraguṇasodhanaŋ (“purifying virtuous conduct”)

  384. pāduka

  385. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  386. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  387. iddhipādukam āruyha, lit., “having stepped onto sandals with iddhi [superpowers]”

  388. yadicchchakaŋ, lit., “which is [my] wish” or perhaps “as I wish”

  389. mukha-puñcchhana-cole, lit., “napkins (or rags, scraps of cloth, handkerchiefs) for wiping the face”

  390. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) golden-colored, unblemished body; (2) beautiful, (3) strong, (4) smooth, (5) not soiled by dirt and dust.

  391. BJTS and PTS alt. reads limpati (“smeared”) for PTS lippati (“get soiled” according to P-S-E dictionary, Sinh. gälveyi; RD reads lippati as pass. of limpati), but as the former can also mean “soiled” the difference is not significant.

  392. rajojallaŋ

  393. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  394. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  395. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  396. chānisaŋse. I count the six here as (1) numerous progeny, (2) lack of fear, (3) little to endure, (4) well-protected, (5) lack of failure, and (6) well-controlled mind (or lack of baldness, etc.)

  397. tāso mayhaŋ na vijjati, lit., “fear is not found of mine”

  398. lit., “I am one who…”

  399. appasayha

  400. reading khalitampi na jānāmi with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS cchalitaŋ maŋ na jānāmi (“I don’t experience shaking me”). In addition to failure (wrong-doing, faltering, stumbling, being disturbed or treated badly), khalitaṃ can also mean “baldness”. Not having any of those qualities would be a positive result of merit.

  401. reading abhantaṃ mānasaṃ mama with BJTS (bhanta = swerving, wavering, unsteady, used of a cart that is out of control) for PTS āgataŋ mānasaŋ mamaŋ (alt. mama), “my mind is come”. PTS also gives asantaŋ (lacking peace, disturbed) as an alternate reading, which would be preferable to āgataŋ

  402. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  403. osadham, specifically medicinal herbs or herbal ingredients for making medicines

  404. añjanaŋ

  405. saṅghe gaṇuttame, lit., “the Assembly of monks which is the supreme group”

  406. aṭṭhānisaŋse. I count the eight here as (1) large eyes [whether they are] (2) white eyes, (3) yellow eyes, [or] (4) red eyes; (5) unsullied eyes, (6) clear eyes, (7) disease-free eyes, (8) “divine eye”.

  407. this follows the BJTS Sinhala gloss. I assume that “white eyes” (or “eyes that have whites)” would refer to humans, “yellow (or “golden”) eyes” would refer to gods, and “red eyes” (cf. lohitākkha) refers to snakes or spirits (yakkhas). We might also understand these colors as seen very clearly by his large eyes.

  408. anāvila-pasanna-akkha

  409. sabba-roga-vivajjita

  410. kuñcchike

  411. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  412. dhamma-dvāra-vivaraṇaŋ, lit., “which opens the door of the Dhamma.

  413. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  414. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  415. dvānisaŋse. I count the two here as (1) being one of little anger, and (2) being one without sorrow (or trouble)

  416. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  417. appakodho, lit., “I am one of little anger”

  418. anāyāso, lit., “I am one with no sorrow”

  419. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  420. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  421. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  422. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) steadfastness in the samādhis, (2) dwelling in the samādhis, (3) being in a united group, (4) speaking words which are taken well, and (5) great wealth of possessions.

  423. na kampāmi, lit., “I do not shake (tremble, waver)”

  424. samādhīsu, lit., “among the samādhis. The plural suggests various types of samādhi or different sorts of meditative states.

  425. abhejjapariso homi

  426. ādeyyavacchano sadā

  427. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  428. PTS jāticcchcha, BJTS jāyati

  429. bhogasampatti

  430. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  431. dhūmanette. RD: “i. e. a surgical instru- ment for sniffing up the smoke of medical drugs Vin i.204; ii.120; J iv.363; ThA 14”

  432. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  433. tīṇānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) clean conscience, (2) good muscles and (3) “divine eye”

  434. sati, also memory (Skt. smṛti) , mindfulness, consciousness, etc.

  435. lit., “not”

  436. PTS nahāruyo, BJTS nahāravo

  437. reading susambandhā (well-connected, well put together) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS susambaddhā (well-bound together), though the latter also evokes a well-toned body.

  438. dīpathāle. (BJTS [and PTS alt.] read dpaṭṭhāne, “places for lamps”). In the description of the actual dāna at (18a-b) [3391] we have “lamp-holders,” dīpadhārake. I take all these terms as referring to a single type of object, which I imagine as a plate-like holder for (probably small clay) lamps.

  439. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  440. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  441. tīṇānisaŋse. I count the three here as (1) good birth, (2) good body, and (3) wisdom and intelligence.

  442. jātimā, lit., “possessor of birth” or “possessor of [high] caste”

  443. aṅgasampanno, lit., “am possessed of limbs”

  444. paññavā

  445. reading buddhi-sammato with BJTS for PTS Buddha-sammato (“revered as [or by?] the Buddha”). The latter could also mean “selected by Buddha”.

  446. tumbake, water-vessels

  447. or “boxes”: karaṇḍe

  448. dasānisaŋse. I count the ten here as (1) well-guarded, (2) possessing happiness, (3) of great fame, (4) in a good state, (5) devoted, (6) delicate, (7) kept from distress, (8) recipient of good job skills, vessels, and baskets, (9) troubles are removed, (10) recipient of inexhaustible elephants, horses and gems of the four colors.

  449. gutto

  450. mahāyāsavā

  451. sukhasamaṅgī

  452. reading tathā gatī with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS tathāgattī, “and such-like [i.e., great] body”

  453. bhattikato, “done service,” even “a servant”

  454. sukhumālo, also refined, tender

  455. sabba-īti-parivajjito

  456. vipule

  457. guṇe

  458. reading samāvaccharaṇaṃ mama with BJTS for PTS samāvaccharaṇā mama

  459. suvivajjita-ubbego

  460. here I read añjana-nāḷiyo (“ointment stalks” or “ointment tubes”) with BJTS for PTS hatthī līlaṅgake (“elephants with sporting bodies” ?). The text is corrupt, and BJTS at least makes sense, though it is out of the sequence of the original dāna (not to mention being unrecoverable in meaning) so may be a spurious verse — perhaps a favored object of some later editor, or simply something no longer part of lived experience at some point in the transmission process? PTS alt. readings include °lilaṅgate, hatthalīlaṅgane and hattho liṅgake (!), none of which is helpful. In addition to the PTS reading, BJTS cites alt. malabharaṇiyo, also of questionable meaning (“women in stained ornaments,” or read māla°, “in flower ornaments?”)

  461. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) having a [good] body, (2) being endowed with all auspicious marks, (3) long life, (4) wisdom, (5) liberation from all sorrows.

  462. sabba-lakkhaṇa-sampanno

  463. āyu-paññā-samāhito

  464. sabbāyāsa-vinimutto

  465. pipphale

  466. tanu-dhāre = “slender to carry”? Or as RD suggests should this be read to tanu as “body,” i.e., “carried on the body”?

  467. sunisite

  468. here as throughout, lit., “for the monks’ Assembly,” “for the saṅgha

  469. atula, not weighable, immeasurable, not equaled

  470. saṇḍāse

  471. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  472. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  473. atula, not weighable, immeasurable, not equaled

  474. natthuke. BJTS reads tatthuke. The description of the original dāna specifies that the gift was of cleaners (there sodhanaŋ) for the mouth (mukha) and nose (natthukaŋ). Separate ānisaṃsas for the mouth-cleaners are given below (v. 194 [3568]). The ānisaṃsas in the present verse seem to relate to what in English we’d call “keeping one’s nose clean,” though I do not know whether the same associations would typically be made in Pāli. The ānisaṃsas for the mouth-cleaners (in v. 194 [3468], below) certainly well-accord with the nature of the original gift.

  475. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  476. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  477. aṭṭhānisaŋse. I count the eight here as (1) faith, (2) morality, (3) shame, (4) fear of wrong-doing, (5) happiness, (6) generosity, (7) patience and (8) wisdom.

  478. saddhaŋ

  479. sīlaŋ

  480. hiriŋ

  481. ottappiyaŋ

  482. pīṭhake

  483. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  484. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  485. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) eminent birth, (2) very rich, (3) much honored, (4) full of glory, and (5) the constant supply of palanquins with horses

  486. uccchche kule

  487. mahābhogo bhavāmi

  488. sabbe maŋ apacchāyanti

  489. reading mama (gen.) with BJTS for PTS mamaŋ (gen. or acc.)

  490. reading cchaturassakā (“with four horses”) for PTS cchaturassarā, “with four corners,” “rectangular,” though the latter also makes sense in this context.

  491. or distributing or sharing them: saŋvibhāga-rato [ahaṃ]

  492. bhisiyo

  493. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  494. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  495. chānisaŋse. I count the six here as (1) mattresses, (2) varied coverlets, (3) varied cloaks, (4) varied rugs, (5) not empty or vain, and (6) meditation-minded/achiever of jhānas

  496. samagatto, lit., “I am one with an even body”

  497. apacchito

  498. muduko

  499. cchārudassano, lit., “pleasant to see”

  500. labhāmi ñāṇaparivāraŋ

  501. tūlikā

  502. reading cchittakā with BJTS for PTS cchittikā

  503. vikatikāyo

  504. kaṭṭhissā

  505. vara-potthake

  506. kambale

  507. pāvārike

  508. maduka-ajina°, “soft [ones made of] antelope-leather

  509. veṇiyo

  510. °atthāre

  511. yato sarāmi attānaŋ, lit., “starting from when I remember myself”

  512. or “since I reached puberty,” yato patto ‘smi viññuta, lit., “starting from when I reached puberty;” but following BJTS Sinhala gloss (näṇavat, “having knowledge”) I translate the term in its broader meaning, “understanding” or “discretion”

  513. or empty: a-tucchcho

  514. reading atucchcho jhāna-mañccho (lit., “I am one whose bed is dhyāna, meditative achievement) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS atucchchojjhānamañño

  515. bimbohane

  516. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  517. chānisaŋse. I count the six here as (1) being cushioned and having a great body, (2) knowledge of the Eightfold Path and the four fruits of monkhood, (3) knowledge of giving, taming, self-control and the forms of boundlessness, (4) knowledge of vows, virtues, practices and good manners, (5) knowledge of walking back and forth, striving, and exertion, and (6) knowledge of morality, meditation, wisdom and unsurpassed freedom.

  518. or “lifted up” “placed upon”: reading upadhemi with BJTS for PTS uppademi

  519. reading mama (gen., lit., “to me [there are]“) with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS mamaŋ (gen. or acc.)

  520. uttamaṅgaŋ, “supreme limbs”

  521. vihāre

  522. dāne

  523. dame

  524. saññame = alt. spelling of saṃyame

  525. appamaññesu (BJTS reads appamaññāsu) rūpisu, that is, the four brahmā-vihāras or godly states: love (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), sympathetic joy (muditā) and equanimity (upekkhā).

  526. vihāre

  527. vatte

  528. guṇe

  529. reading paṭipatti with BJTS for PTS pañcchame, “the fifth”

  530. ācchārakiriyāsu ccha, or “among the forms of right practice”

  531. vihāre

  532. cchaṅkame

  533. or “to Englightenment” or “to Awakening”: bodha-pakkhike

  534. vihārāmi

  535. sīlaŋ

  536. samādhi

  537. paññā

  538. vimutti ccha anuttarā

  539. vihārāmi

  540. palālapīṭhe, BJTS reads phalapīṭhe, stools made of fruit (gourds?)

  541. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  542. BJTS (and PTS alt.) read dvānisaŋse (“two results”) for PTS cchaturānisaŋse, “four results.” I count four here so stick with the PTS reading: excellent palanquins made of (1) gold, (2) gems, (3) ivory, and (4) fine wood

  543. danta-sāra-maye

  544. pādapīṭhe

  545. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  546. dvānisaŋse. I count the two here as (1) receiving many vehicles, and (2) being properly cared for by slaves, wives and other dependents.

  547. yāne

  548. sammā

  549. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  550. tel’abbhañjane, BJTS gloss specifies that these are oils for rubbing on the body

  551. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) good health, (2) beauty, (3) quick understanding (or application) of the Dhamma, (4) receipt of food and drink, and (5) long life.

  552. nisantitā, lit., applying, carefully observing; I follow the BJTS Sinh. gloss (väṭahena) in this translation of the term as “grasping” (understanding).

  553. ayu

  554. sappitela, “ghee-oil”

  555. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) strength, (2) beauty, (3) happiness, (4) slenderness, and (5) health and purity.

  556. pahaṭṭha°

  557. °tanujo

  558. mukhadhovanakaŋ. BJTS (and PTS alt.) read mukhasodhanakaṃ, with the same meaning.

  559. pañcchānisaŋse. I count the five here as (1) a clean (or clear) throat, (2) sweet sounding [voice], (3) free of coughs, (4) free of asthma, and (5) breath which smells like blue lotuses.

  560. visuddhakaṇṭho

  561. madhurassaro (BJTS reads madhurasaro)

  562. kāsassāsavivajjito (BJTS reads kāsasāsa°)

  563. reading uppalagandho with BJTS for PTS upphalagandho (probably a typo)

  564. sampannaŋ

  565. dadhiŋ

  566. bhuñjāmi. In this foot the basic meaning “eating” might be preferred, but I take the verb to refer to the “enjoyment” of mindfulness of the body, too, so defer to the more general “enjoying”.

  567. amataŋ

  568. reading vittaṃ (possessions, wealth) with BJTS for PTS cchittaŋ (“heart”), though BJTS alt. bhattaṃ (“rice”) would provide the cleanest reading.

  569. lit., “excellent (varaŋ) mindfulness of body (kāyagataŋ satiŋ); BJTS reads varaṃ kayāgatāsatiṃ, with the same meaning.

  570. °upetaŋ, lit., “furnished with.” The implication is that the honey had good color, scent and taste

  571. lit., “for the Victor”

  572. pive muttirasam ahaŋ

  573. atuliyaŋ.

  574. anupamaŋ

  575. yathābhūtaŋ, also “original,” “natural”. I take this as connected with the allusion to liberation as juice in the previous verse.

  576. cchaturo phale, i.e., the four fruits of monkhood, the four stages of the path: sotāpatti, sakadāgāmi, anāgāmi, arahattaphala (stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, arahant)

  577. dasānisaŋse. I count the ten here as (1) long-life, (2) strength, (3) heroism, (4) beauty, (5) fame, (6) happiness, (7) receiving food, (8) receiving drink, (9) courage, (10) intelligence.

  578. sūro

  579. paññāavā

  580. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  581. PTS and BJTS agree in presenting this as a six-footed verse.

  582. dhūmaŋ

  583. lit., “for the Well-Gone-One”

  584. guṇavaruttame, lit., “of supreme [and] splendid virtue”. BJTS reads gaṇa (“group”) here as elsewhere.

  585. dasānisaŋse. I count the ten here as (1)

  586. sugandhadeho, lit., “I am one whose body has a pleasant odor”

  587. sīghapañño, “I’m one with wisdom which is quick”

  588. kittimā

  589. tikkhapañño bhūripañño, lit., “I’m one with sharp wisdom, I’m one with extensive wisdom”

  590. reading hāsa<hāsu° with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS bhāsa-gambhīra-pañño

  591. bhave, lit., “in existence”

  592. vepulla-javana-pañño. The basic meaning of javana is “quick” and it is sometimes taken as equivalent to sīgha, already mentioned in the preceding verse.

  593. santisukhaŋ sivaŋ

  594. cf. #15, and note, above. BJTS spells the name Piḷindavacchcha. He seems to have been a historical monk, much-mentioned in the canon and commentaries. “Pilinda” was his given name, “Vacchcha” refers to his gotta (lineage).

  595. BJTS spells the name Piḷindavacchcha.