403. {406.} Nanda

Walt 4050 I was a deer-hunter back then,
within a grove in the forest.
While searching after spotted deer,
I saw the Self-Become One there. Verse 1

Walt 4051 The Sambuddha named Anuraddha,
the Self-Become, Unconquered One,
Seclusion-Lover, the Wise One,
plunged into the forest back then. Verse 2

Walt 4052 Having gathered four sticks of wood,
I placed them in four corner-spots.
Building a well-built pavilion,
I covered it with lotus blooms. Verse 3

Walt 4053 Having covered the pavilion,
I greeted the Self-Become One.
Laying aside my bow right there,
I went forth into homelessness. Verse 4

Walt 4054 A short time after going forth,
I was afflicted with illness.
Transmigrating through past karma,
I passed away right then and there. Verse 5

Walt 4055 Bound up with my former karma,
I went to Tusitā heaven.
There a mansion made out of gold
is produced according to wish. Verse 6

Walt 4056 My divine carriage stands in wait,
a thousand-horse-yoked vehicle.
Ascending into that carriage,
I travel according to wish. Verse 7

Walt 4057 When I am going out from there,
having been reborn as a god,
a pavilion’s held up for me
a hundred leagues on every side. Verse 8

Walt 4058 I always nestle on a bed
that’s constantly strewn with flowers.
And from the sky, pink lotuses
are raining on me all the time. Verse 9

Walt 4059 When the rays of light are throbbing,
and the sun’s heat scorches the world,
the heat is not oppressing me:
that’s the fruit of a pavilion. Verse 10

Walt 4060 I pass beyond all bad rebirth;
the states of woe are closed to me.
In a pavilion or tree-root,
burning heat is not known by me. Verse 11

Walt 4061 Fixing perception on the earth,
I cross over the great ocean.
That’s my well-done karma, the fruit
of doing that Buddha-pūjā. Verse 12

Walt 4062 Making roads, even with no road,
I am traveling in the sky.
O! that karma well-done by me:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. Verse 13

Walt 4063 I know former existences,
the “divine eye” is purified,
my defilements are all destroyed:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. Verse 14

Walt 4064 Buddha’s legitimate offspring,
worthy heir to the Great Teaching,
I’ve renounced my earlier birth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. Verse 15

Walt 4065 I’m one who pleased the Well-Gone-One,
Gotama, Bull of the Śākyas,
the Dhamma’s heir, I bear its flag:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā. Verse 16

Walt 4066 After serving the Sambuddha,
Gotama, Bull of the Śākyas,
I asked the Leader of the World
about the path that goes beyond. Verse 17

Walt 4067 Being asked, the Buddha then told
the deep and subtle state beyond.
Having heard that Teaching of his,
I attained my arahantship. Verse 18

Walt 4068 O! that karma well-done by me!
I’m fully freed from being born;
I have destroyed all defilements;
now there will be no more rebirth. Verse 19

Walt 4069 My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. Verse 20

Walt 4070 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! Verse 21

Walt 4071 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 22

Thus indeed Venerable Nanda Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nanda Thera is finished.