440. {443.} Billaphaliya

On Candabhāgā River’s bank,
my well-constructed hermitage
was served by varied types of trees,
and strewn with bel trees full of fruit.

Seeing a fragrant bel tree, I,
remembering the Best Buddha,
having filled up a khāri load,
thrilled, mind stirred up with emotion,
having approached Kakusandha,
with a mind that was very clear,
I gave that bel fruit I had brought
to him, the Hero, Merit-Field.

Within the present aeon, since
I gave that fruit to him back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of giving fruit.

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

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!

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

Thus indeed Venerable Billaphaliya Thera spoke these verses.