12. Ekatthambhika

Walt 686 The Blessed One named Siddhattha
had a large group of followers.
They had taken the lay refuge
with faith in the Thus-Gone Buddha. Verse 1

Walt 687 They all gathered and decided
to build a hut for the Teacher.
Still in need of one more pillar
they were searching the thick forest. Verse 2

Walt 688 Having seen them in the forest
I then went up to that group there.
Pressing both my hands together
I made inquiries of that group. Verse 3

Walt 689 Those morally-restrained layfolk
asked by me then gave their reply,
“we desire to build a māḷa
but we are still one pillar short.” Verse 4

Walt 690 “Give me the one pillar duty;
I will give it to the Teacher.
I will take that pillar to him,
all of you please now be at ease.” Verse 5

Walt 691 Pleased and with minds full of delight
they felled that pillar for me there,
then having turned around to leave
they went back to their own houses. Verse 6

Walt 692 Not long after that big group left
I then did give him that pillar.
I was the first one to raise it,
happy, and with a happy heart. Verse 7

Walt 693 Because of the pleasure in my heart
I was born in a god’s mansion.
That lofty residence of mine
was one hundred stories in height. Verse 8

Walt 694 When the drums are being beaten,
I am then being entertained.
I was the king, Yasodhara,
in the fifty-fifth aeon thence. Verse 9

Walt 695 There too I had a residence
which was seven stories in height.
Appointed with fine gabled cells
there was one pillar, mind’s delight. Verse 10

Walt 696 In the twenty-first aeon thence
I was the king known as Udena.
There too I had a residence
which was a hundred stories tall. Verse 11

Walt 697 In whichever womb I’m reborn,
whether it’s human or divine,
I experience all of that;
that is the fruit of one pillar. Verse 12

Walt 698 In the ninety-four aeons since
I gave him that pillar back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;
that is the fruit of one pillar. Verse 13

Walt 699 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 14

Thus indeed Venerable Ekatthambhika Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Ekatthambhika Thera is finished.