81. Timirapupphiya

On Candabhāgā River’s bank
I was going along the stream
when I saw the Monk sitting there,
the Brilliant One, the Unperturbed.

Having pleased my heart about him
I thought in this way at that time:
“This Crossed One will make others cross;
this Tame One will tame others too.

The Comforted One will console;
the Calmed One will make others calm;
the Freed One will set others free;
the Quenched One will quench others too.”

After reflecting in this way
then picking up a dark flower
I laid it on top of the head
of Siddhattha the Sage so Great.

Pressing both my hands together
and circumambulating him,
having worshipped the Teacher’s feet
I departed there toward the west.

A short time into my journey
a lion was then stalking me.
Going along a precipice,
right there I fell down and I died.

In the ninety-four aeons since
I offered that flower to him,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

In the fifty-sixth aeon hence
there were seven men, greatly famed,
wheel-turning kings with great power,
possessors of the seven gems.

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

Thus indeed Venerable Timirapupphiya Thera spoke these verses.