8. Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja

Walt 620 The Victor Padumuttara
the Self-Become One, Best Person,
did dwell in Cittakūṭa then,
in front of the Himalayas. Verse 1

Walt 621 I was then the king of beasts there,
fearlessly going on all fours.
Hearing the voice of that Buddha
many folks were assembling then. Verse 2

Walt 622 Picking up a blooming lotus
I approached him, the Bull of Men,
and gave it to the Buddha when
he’d risen from meditation. Verse 3

Walt 623 I worshipped from four directions
the Best Buddha, Ultimate Man
and bringing pleasure to my heart
I then roared out a lion’s roar. Verse 4

Walt 624 Padumuttara, World-Knower,
Sacrificial Recipient,
sitting down on his own seat then
uttered these verses about me: Verse 5

Walt 625 Knowing that Buddha would speak, the
gods all came together, thinking,
“the Best One, the Buddha has come;
let us listen to his Teaching.” Verse 6

Walt 626 The World-Chief, the Far-Seeing One,
the Great Sage Buddha then explained
the meaning of my roar before
those gods overcome with laughter. Verse 7

Walt 627 “I shall relate details of him
who gave me this lotus flower
and who has roared a lion’s roar;
all of you listen to my words: Verse 8

Walt 628 Eight aeons in the future he
will be a wheel-turning monarch,
possessor of the seven gems,
a lord of the four continents. Verse 9

Walt 629 He then will reign over the earth
for four more than sixty lifetimes.
He will be known as Paduma,
a wheel-turning king with great strength. Verse 10

Walt 630 In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama,
will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 11

Walt 631 This one will be a brahmin when
the Buddha’s words are broadcast then.
Leaving behind his brahmin-ness,
he’ll go forth in the Buddhist way. Verse 12

Walt 632 Being one bent on exertion,
calmed, devoid of grounds for rebirth,
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled. Verse 13

Walt 633 Though of a frightful clan of beasts
living in the deepest forest,
knowing well all the defilements,
he’ll reach nirvana, undefiled.” Verse 14

Walt 634 My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.

Walt 635 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!

Walt 636 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 15

Thus indeed Venerable Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Piṇḍola-Bhāradvāja Thera is finished.