[360. {363.}[1] Bhisamuḷāladāyaka[2]]

The Sambuddha was named[3] Phussa,
the [Great] Master of Everything.[4]
The Seclusion-Lover,[5] Wise One,[6]
came into my presence [back then]. (1) [3187]

Bringing pleasure to [my] heart in
him, the Victor, Great Compassion,
taking lotus roots and stems, I
gave [them] to the Best of Buddhas. (2) [3188]

In the ninety-two aeons since
I gave that lotus-root back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of lotus-root gifts. (3) [3189]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (4) [3190]

Thus indeed Venerable Bhisamuḷāladāyaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Bhisamuḷāladāyaka 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. “Lotus Root and Stem Donor.” Bhisa refers to the lotus “potato” (Sinh. ala) found under the mud; muḷāla refers to the lotus “stem” (Sinh. daṇḍu, dictionary gives däli). The former is starchy and crunchy; the latter is like a green vegetable. Both are delicious staples of village diets to this day. Cf. #65. ↩︎

  3. reading nāmāsi with BJTS (and PTS alt.) for PTS nāmā ti ↩︎

  4. lit., “master of all things (dhamma)” (or “Master of All Teachings”) ↩︎

  5. viveka-kāma ↩︎

  6. suppañña ↩︎

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