[456. {459.}1 Paṭṭipupphiya2]

When the relics were carried off,
when the drums were being beaten,
happy, with pleasure in [my] heart,
I offered3 a red lodh4 flower. (1) [4854]

In the hundred thousand aeons
since I offered5 that flower [back then],
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of relic-worship.6 (2) [4855]

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. (3) [4856]

Being in Best Buddha’s presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (4) [4857]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (5) [4858]

Thus indeed Venerable Paṭṭipupphiya7 Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Paṭṭipupphiya8 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. “Red Lodh Flower-er.” This is the BJTS reading for PTS Sattipaṇṇiya, “Satti-Leaf-er”. I do not find satti in the dictionaries as the name of a type of flower. BJTS chapter summary confirms its reading, but so does the PTS summary (see below), leaving the correct reading something of a mystery. I take the BJTS reading here because at least it has a meaning.

  3. lit., “did pūjā

  4. paṭṭipuppham, Sinh. rat lot or ratu lot gasa, Engl. red lodh tree, the bark of which is used in dying. PTS reads sattipuppham (“a satti flower”)

  5. lit., “did pūjā

  6. lit., “doing pūjā to the body”

  7. PTS reads Sattipaṇṇiyo°

  8. PTS reads Sattipaṇṇiyo°