English
53. The Chapter on Givers of Grass 1. The Apadāna of the Elder, the Giver of a Handful of Grass 1. Near the Himalayas, a mountain named Lambaka; There, the Buddha Tissa, walked in the open air. 2. Formerly, I was a hunter, in the forest, in the wilderness; Seeing that god of gods, I gave a handful of grass. 3. For the Buddha to sit, having given, I gladdened my mind; Having saluted the Fully Enlightened One, I departed facing north. 4. Soon after I had gone, a lion attacked me; Attacked by the lion, there I passed away. 5. The deed I did was near, to the best Buddha, the Stainless One; Like an arrow swiftly released, I went to the world of devas. 6. There was a beautiful pillar, created by meritorious deeds; With a thousand sections, a hundred finials, adorned with green banners. 7. Its radiance streamed forth, like the rising sun; Surrounded by celestial maidens, I rejoiced, desiring what I wished. 8. Having fallen from the world of devas, urged by the root of merit; Having come to human existence, I have attained the destruction of defilements. 9. Ninety-four aeons ago, I gave a seat; I know no suffering, this is the fruit of the handful of grass. 10. My defilements are burnt, all existences are uprooted; Like an elephant breaking its bonds, I dwell without defilements. 11. Welcome indeed it was for me, in the presence of my Buddha; The three knowledges are attained, the Buddha's teaching is done. 12. The four analytical knowledges, and these eight liberations; The six supernormal powers are realized, the Buddha's teaching is done. Thus indeed, the Venerable Thera, the Giver of a Handful of Grass, spoke these verses. The first Apadāna of the Thera, the Giver of a Handful of Grass. 2. The Apadāna of the Elder, the Giver of a Couch 13. To the Blessed One Vipassī, the foremost of the world, the steadfast one; One couch Given by me, with a clear mind and a living hand. 14. Elephant vehicles, horse vehicles, Divine vehicles I obtained. By that gift of a couch, I have attained defilements' end. 15. In the ninety-first eon, When I gave that couch then; No suffering state I know, This is the fruit of the couch-gift. 16. My defilements are burnt, All existences uprooted; Like an elephant breaking bonds, I dwell without defilements. 17. Indeed, well-come it was for me, In the Supreme Buddha's presence; The three knowledges attained, The Buddha's teaching is done. 18. The four analytical knowledges, And these eight liberations; Six supernormal powers realized, The Buddha's teaching is done. Thus indeed, The Venerable Elder, Giver of the Couch, Spoke these verses. The Apadāna of the Elder Giver of the Couch, The second. 3. The Apadāna of the Elder Who Went for Refuge 19. We boarded a boat then, A bhikkhu and I, an Ajivaka. As the boat was breaking, The bhikkhu gave me refuge. 20. In the thirty-first eon from now, When he gave me refuge; No suffering state I know, The fruit of going for refuge. 21. My defilements are burnt, All existences uprooted; Like an elephant breaking bonds, I dwell without defilements. 22. Indeed, well-come it was for me, In the Supreme Buddha's presence; The three knowledges attained, The Buddha's teaching is done. 23. The four analytical knowledges, And these eight liberations; Six supernormal powers realized, The Buddha's teaching is done. Thus indeed, The Venerable Elder Saraṇagamaniya, These verses Spoke. The Apadāna of the Elder Who Went for Refuge, The third. 4. The Apadāna of the Elder Giver of Ointment 24. In the city of Bandhumati, I was dwelling in the royal park. I was then wearing a skin garment, I was carrying a water pot. 25. I saw the stainless Buddha, Self-existent, unconquered. Striving, with mind sent forth, Meditating, delighting in meditation, a sage. 26. Accomplished in all desires, Crossed the flood, without defilements. Having seen, with clear and joyful mind, I gave ointment. 27. In the ninety-first eon, When I gave that gift then; No suffering state I know, This is the fruit of the ointment-gift. 28. My defilements are burnt, All existences uprooted; Like an elephant breaking bonds, I dwell without defilements. 29. Indeed, well-come it was for me, In the Supreme Buddha's presence; The three knowledges attained, The Buddha's teaching is done. … the Buddha’s teaching was done. 30. “The four analytical knowledges… … the Buddha’s teaching was done.” Thus indeed, the Elder Abbhañjanadāyaka spoke these verses. The fourth Apadāna is of the Elder Abbhañjanadāyaka. 5. The Apadāna of the Elder Supaṭadāyaka 31. “The World-Leader Vipassī, came forth from his day-dwelling; Having quickly given a fine cloth, I rejoiced in heaven for an eon. 32. “Ninety-one eons ago, I gave the fine cloth; I do not know a bad destination, this is the fruit of the fine cloth. 33. “My defilements are burnt… … I dwell without taints. 34. “My coming was indeed welcome… … the Buddha’s teaching was done. 35. “The four analytical knowledges… … the Buddha’s teaching was done.” Thus indeed, the Elder Supaṭadāyaka spoke these verses. The fifth Apadāna is of the Elder Supaṭadāyaka. 6. The Apadāna of the Elder Daṇḍadāyaka 36. “Having entered a forest grove, and cut a bamboo then; Having made a walking stick, I gave much to the Saṅgha. 37. “With that serene mind, having greeted the virtuous one; Having given the walking stick, I departed facing north. 38. “Ninety-four eons ago, when I gave that stick; I do not know a bad destination, this is the fruit of the gift of the stick. 39. “My defilements are burnt… … I dwell without taints. 40. “My coming was indeed welcome… … the Buddha’s teaching was done. 41. “The four analytical knowledges… … the Buddha’s teaching was done.” Thus indeed, the Elder Daṇḍadāyaka spoke these verses. The sixth Apadāna is of the Elder Daṇḍadāyaka. The twenty-third recitation section. 7. The Apadāna of the Elder Girinelapūjaka 42. “I was formerly a deer hunter, wandering in the wilderness; I saw the stainless Buddha, one who had crossed all phenomena. 43. “Towards that greatly compassionate one, who delighted in the welfare of all beings; With a serene and joyful mind, I worshipped with a nela flower. I conquered. 44. Thirty-one aeons ago, when I offered flowers; I know no suffering, this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. 45. My defilements are burnt away... ...I dwell without taints. 46. Indeed, it was a good arrival for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done. 47. The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done. Thus indeed, the Venerable Elder Girinelapūjaka recited these verses. The Seventh Apadāna of the Elder Girinelapūjaka. 8. The Apadāna of the Elder Bodhisammajjaka 48. Formerly, I saw a Bodhi leaf, discarded in the shrine courtyard; Taking it, I removed it, I gained twentyfold merits. 49. By the power of that deed, wandering from existence to existence; I wandered in two existences, among gods and also among humans. 50. Having fallen from the world of gods, and come to human existence; I am born in two families, among khattiyas and also among brahmins. 51. Endowed with limbs and minor limbs, with good stature and girth; I am handsome and clean, with perfect and complete body. 52. In the world of gods or humans, or wherever I am born; I am of golden color, like refined gold. 53. Soft, gentle, smooth, delicate, very tender; My skin always is, from that well-removed Bodhi leaf. 54. From whatever destinies, when the body arises; Dust and dirt do not cling, the result of removing the leaf. 55. In heat, wind, and sun, or by the heat of fire; Sweat does not escape from my body, the result of removing the leaf. 56. Leprosy, boils, skin diseases, moles and pimples too; Ringworm does not occur on my body, the result of removing the leaf. 57. Another quality of that, arises in existence after existence; Diseases do not occur in the body, the result of removing the leaf. 58. Another quality of that, arises in existence after existence; Mental suffering does not occur, the result of removing the leaf. 59. Another quality of that, arises in existence after existence; Enemies do not... of that being, the result from discarding the leaf. 60. Another quality of his arises in life after life; He has complete enjoyments, the result from discarding the leaf. 61. Another quality of his arises in life after life; From fire, kings, and thieves, there is no fear, nor from water. 62. Another quality of his arises in life after life; Servants, male and female, and followers, become obedient to his will. 63. In whatever measure of life he is born in human existence; From that, life does not diminish, it remains for the full lifespan. 64. Both internal and external, citizens and countrymen; All of them are devoted, desiring his prosperity and wishing his happiness. 65. May I be wealthy and famous, glorious and with a retinue of relatives; Free from fear and anxiety, may I be in every existence. 66. Devas, humans, asuras, gandhabbas, yakkhas, rakkhasas; All of them protect him, always, as he wanders through existences. 67. In the deva world and among humans, having experienced both glories; And finally Nibbāna, he attained the supreme bliss. 68. Having dedicated to the Fully Awakened One, or to the enlightenment of that Teacher; The person who generates merit, what indeed is difficult for him to obtain? 69. In the path, the fruit, and the scriptures, and in the qualities of jhānas and supernormal powers; Having become superior to others, I shall attain Nibbāna, free from defilements. 70. Formerly, I, with a joyful mind, having discarded the leaf of the Bodhi tree; With these twenty factors, I am always endowed. 71. My defilements are burnt... I dwell without defilements. 72. Indeed, it was a good coming for me... the Buddha's teaching has been done. 73. The four analytical knowledges... the Buddha's teaching has been done.