I was an only child, loved by my mother and father. They had me by practicing many supplications and observances.
Out of sympathy for me wishing me well and wanting the best for me, my mother and father took me to see the Buddha.
“We had this son with difficulty; he is delicate and pampered. We offer him to you, Lord, to attend upon the victor.”
The teacher, having accepted me, declared to Ānanda: “Quickly give him the going-forth—this one will be a thoroughbred!”
After he, the Teacher, had sent me forth, the victor entered his dwelling. Before the sun set my mind was freed.
Consequently, the Teacher didn’t neglect me; when he came out from seclusion, he said: “Come Bhadda!” That was my ordination.
At seven years old I received ordination. I’ve attained the three knowledges; oh, the clear rightness of the teaching!
Bhadda
Thag 7.3 · Bhaddattheragāthā
Connections
Collection & context
- TheragāthāThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato and Jessica Walton · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
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