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Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. Minor Collection Stories of the Elders (Part One) 1. The Buddha Chapter 1. The Buddha's Story 1. The Tathāgata, dwelling in Jetavana, was asked by the sage Vedeha, bowing down: "Are there indeed Buddhas, all-knowing by name? By what causes, O Hero, do they come to be?" 2. Then the All-Knowing, the Great Sage, said to Ānandabhadda, in a sweet voice: "Those who in former Buddhas made their aspiration, who did not attain liberation in the dispensations of the Conquerors, 3. "By that path to awakening, the wise ones, with great resolve, by the power of wisdom, with keen insight, attain the state of all-knowing. 4. "I too, in former Buddhas, aspired to Buddhahood, having been in mind alone, a King of Dhamma for countless aeons. 5. "Now listen, with pure minds, to the stories of the Buddhas, the Kings of Dhamma, who fulfilled the thirty perfections for countless aeons. 6. "To the awakening of the best of Buddhas, to the world-leaders with their Saṅgha, I bowed with ten fingers, and saluted with my head. 7. "As many jewels as exist in the Buddha-fields, those in the sky and those on the earth, I gathered all in my mind. 8. "There, on a silver ground, I built a palace, of many stories, made of jewels, towering, reaching the sky. 9. "With varied pillars, well-made, well-divided, very precious, with golden coverings, adorned with pointed parasols. 10. "The first ground was of beryl, pure and bright like a clear sky, filled with lotuses and water-lilies, on a ground of excellent gold. 11. "Coral-colored, with coral gleam, some were beautifully red, shining like the color of ladybugs, the ground illuminated the directions. 12. "Well-divided house-fronts, balconies, lion-cages, four railings, nets, and delightful fragrant garlands. 13. "Blue, yellow, red, white, pure black, adorned with excellent pinnacled houses, decorated with seven jewels. 14. "Lotus flowers made of crystal, adorned with aquatic birds, stars and constellations... not crowded, adorned with sun and moon. 15. Covered with golden nets, furnished with golden bells; The charming golden garlands resound with the wind's force. 16. Crimson, red, yellow, golden-hued; Stained with various colors, adorned with raised banners. 17. Many hundreds of crystal and silver, Jewel-made and red, and made of masāragalla; Various and colorful couches, and soft Kasi cloths. 18. Blankets, fine cloths, Chinese silks, woolen cloths, and pale cloaks; All kinds of coverings, I created with my mind. 19. On those very grounds, adorned with jewel pinnacles; Jewel-shining lamps, holding, they stood well. 20. Pillars and posts shone, beautiful golden arches; Made of pure gold, and also made of silver. 21. Many well-divided joints, adorned with doors and bolts; Many full pots on both sides, joined with lotuses and water lilies. 22. All past Buddhas, with their Sangha, leaders of the world; In their natural form and appearance, I created them with their disciples. 23. Through that door, having entered, all Buddhas with their disciples; On seats all made of gold, the assembly of noble ones sat. 24. And those who are now, the unsurpassed Buddhas in the world; Past and present, I gathered all into the abode. 25. Many hundreds of Paccekabuddhas, self-born, unconquered; Past and present, I gathered all into the abode. 26. There are many wish-fulfilling trees, those divine and those human; Gathering all cloths, I covered them with the triple robe. 27. Food, edibles, and snacks, complete with drinks and meals; In beautiful jewel-made bowls, having filled, I gave. 28. Being like divine cloths, polished and furnished with robes; Sweet sugar, and oils, and honey and molasses. 29. Satisfied with supreme food, all those noble assemblies; Having entered the jewel chamber, like a lion in a cave. 30. “On a grand and excellent couch, they made a lion’s posture; Fully aware, they rose up, and sat cross-legged on the couch. 31. “The pasture of all Buddhas, immersed in the joy of meditation; Some teach the Dhamma, others play with psychic power. 32. “Some manifest higher knowledges, masters of higher knowledges; They perform transformations, into many thousands of forms. 33. “Buddhas question Buddhas, about the domain of omniscience, the abode; A deep and subtle place, they discern with wisdom. 34. “Disciples question Buddhas, Buddhas question disciples; Having questioned each other, they explain to one another. 35. “Buddhas, Paccekabuddhas, disciples, and attendants; Thus with their own joy, they delight in the palaces. 36. “Let jewelled parasols stand, with rows of golden fringes; Adorned with nets of pearls, all holding them over their heads. 37. “Let there be cloth canopies, adorned with golden stars; Spread with diverse garlands, all holding them over their heads. 38. “Spread with garlands of flowers, beautified with garlands of scents; Surrounded by garlands of cloth, adorned with garlands of jewels. 39. “Strewn with flowers, beautifully adorned, beautified with fragrant perfumes; Made with five-fingered perfume designs, covered with golden coverings. 40. “Ponds in the four directions, strewn with lotuses and water lilies; They appear golden-hued, with lotus pollen dust rising. 41. “Let all the trees bloom, all around the palace; And having shed their own flowers, they go and scatter them in the dwelling. 42. “Peacocks dance there, divine swans sing; And karavīka birds sing, flocks of birds all around. 43. “Let all drums sound, let all lutes resonate; Let all music play, all around the palace. 44. “As far as the Buddha-field, and beyond those world-systems; Great and full of light, unbroken, jewelled indeed. 45. Let golden couches stand, Let lamp-trees blaze; Let them be of a single light, A succession of ten thousand. 46. Let courtesans and dancers, Let groups of celestial nymphs dance; Let various colors appear, All around the palace. 47. On treetops or mountaintops, On the summit of Mount Sineru; I raise every banner, Variegated and five-colored. 48. Humans, nāgas, and gandhabbas, All devas, let them approach; Worshipping with clasped hands, Let them surround the palace. 49. Whatever wholesome deed, Whatever act is to be done by me; By body, speech, and mind, Done well among the devas. 50. Whatever beings are conscious, And whatever beings are unconscious; Of the merit-fruit done by me, Let all of them be partakers. 51. To whom it is well-known, The merit-fruit given by me; And those who do not know there, Let the devas go and inform them. 52. Whatever beings in all the world, Live for the sake of food; All pleasant food, Let them obtain by my intention. 53. By mind, a gift was given by me, By mind, I brought about joy; All fully enlightened ones were honored, Paccekabuddhas and disciples of the Victorious One. 54. By that well-done deed, And by aspirations; Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 55. I know two existences, In the deva realm and then among humans; I know no other destiny, The fruit of mental aspiration. 56. I become superior to devas, I become a lord of humans; Endowed with beauty and marks, Unequaled in wisdom. 57. Various excellent foods, And countless jewels; And various garments, Quickly come to me from the sky. 58. On earth, on mountains, In the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I extend my hand, Divine foods come to me. 59. On earth, on mountains, In the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I extend my hand, All jewels come to me. 60. On earth, On mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all fragrances come to me. 61. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all vehicles come to me. 62. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all garlands come to me. 63. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all ornaments come to me. 64. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all maidens come to me. 65. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, honey and sugar come to me. 66. On earth, on mountains, in the sky, in water, in the forest; Wherever I stretch out my hand, all foods come to me. 67. To the poor, to the travelers, and to the beggars on the path; I give the supreme gift, for the attainment of supreme enlightenment. 68. Making the rocky mountain resound, making the dense peak roar; Making the world with its gods rejoice, I am the Buddha in the world. 69. In the ten directions of the world, where there is no end to going; And in that part of the direction, Buddha-fields are countless. 70. My radiance is proclaimed, carrying twin rays; Within this, a net of rays, a vast light will arise. 71. In this much of the world-system, may all people see me; May all follow me, up to the abode of Brahma. 72. With a most sweet sound, I strike the drum of immortality; Within this, may all people, hear the sweet speech. 73. When the rain of Dhamma falls, may all be free from defilements; And those beings who are last, may they become stream-enterers. 74. Having given the gift that should be given, having completely fulfilled virtue; Having gone to the perfection of renunciation, I attained supreme enlightenment. supreme knowledge. 75. Having questioned the wise, having made supreme effort; having gone to the perfection of patience, attained supreme enlightenment. 76. Having made a firm determination, having fulfilled the perfection of truth; having gone to the perfection of loving-kindness, attained supreme enlightenment. 77. In gain and loss, in happiness and suffering, in honor and dishonor; having become equal everywhere,