[91]
The Fully Enlightened One (Sambuddha) named Sumedha, possessed of the thirty-two excellent marks, desiring seclusion, went to the Himavant.
Having plunged into the Himavant, the foremost sage, the compassionate one, the supreme among men, sat down, having folded his legs crosswise.
At that time I was a vijjādhara, one who travels through the air; taking up a well-made trident, I was then passing through the sky.
Like a fire upon a mountaintop, like the moon on the full-moon day, the Buddha shone forth in the forest, like a royal sāla tree in full bloom.
Streaming out from the forest, the rays of the Buddha spread abroad, in appearance like the hue of a blazing reed-fire; seeing them, I made my mind (citta) serene.
While searching, I saw a flower — a kaṇikāra of divine fragrance; taking three flowers, I worshipped the best of Buddhas.
By the power of the Buddha, my three flowers then, their stalks upward and their petals downward, made a shade for the Teacher.
Through that deed well performed, and through my volition and aspirations, on discarding the human body I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
There my well-made mansion was known as "Kaṇikārī" — sixty yojanas in height, thirty yojanas in breadth.
With its thousand sections and seven domes, hung with banners, made of green [gems], a hundred thousand turrets appeared in my mansion.
Couches made of gold, made of gems, made of ruby, and of crystal too — whichever were wished for, just as wished.
And a costly bed — a cotton mattress with figured coverlets, with a fleecy cover, its nap on one side, furnished with pillows.
Going forth from my dwelling and wandering on tour through the deva-world, whenever I wish to journey, I go escorted by the host of devas.
I stand beneath the flower; above me is a canopy; all around, for a hundred yojanas, it is covered with kaṇikāra flowers.
Sixty thousand musical instruments attended upon me evening and morning; unwearied, they surround me constantly, night and day.
There, amid dances and songs, cymbals and instrumental music, I take my delight; in the delight of play I rejoice, enjoying the pleasures I desire.
Eating and drinking there, I rejoiced then among the Thirty (Tidasa); accompanied by troops of women, I rejoiced in that supreme mansion.
Five hundred times I exercised the kingship of the devas; and three hundred times I was a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti);
and extensive regional kingship, beyond reckoning by count. Transmigrating from existence to existence, I obtain great wealth;
for me there is no deficiency of wealth: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha (buddhapūjā). I transmigrate in but two states of existence, the divine and the human;
I know no other destination: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. I am born in but two families, the khattiya and the brahmin;
I am not born into a low family: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. Elephant-carriages, horse-carriages, palanquins, and litters —
all this I obtain: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. Troops of female slaves and troops of male slaves, and women finely adorned —
all this I obtain: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. Garments of silk and of wool, of linen and of cotton —
all this I obtain: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. New cloth, fresh fruit, and food of fresh and excellent flavor —
all this I obtain: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. "Chew these, eat these, lie upon this bed" —
all this I obtain: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha. Everywhere I am honored; my renown has risen exceedingly high;
I am always of great authority, ever with an undivided following; among my kin I am the foremost: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
I know neither cold nor heat; no burning distress is found in me; nor is any mental suffering (dukkha) found in my heart.
Golden-hued, I transmigrate from existence to existence; I know no loss of that complexion: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
Passing away from the deva-world, impelled by the bright root [of merit] (sukkamūla), I was born in the city of Sāvatthī, in a magnate family of great wealth.
Abandoning the five strands of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa), I went forth into homelessness; at seven years from birth, I attained arahantship.
The Buddha, the One with Vision, recognizing my quality, granted me the full ordination; young though I was, I am worthy of veneration: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
My divine eye (dibbacakkhu) is purified; I am skilled in concentration (samādhi); I have attained the perfection of the superknowledges (abhiññā): this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
I have attained the analytical knowledges (paṭisambhidā); I am proficient in the bases of success (iddhipāda); I have attained perfection in the true Dhamma (saddhamma): this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
It was in the thirty-thousandth eon [before now] that I worshipped the Buddha; I know of no bad destination [since]: this is the fruit of worshipping the Buddha.
My defilements (kilesa) have been burned away; all existences have been extirpated; like an elephant that has burst its bonds, I dwell without taints (āsava).
Welcome indeed was my coming into the presence of my Buddha! The three true knowledges (vijjā) have been attained; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
The four analytical knowledges and these eight liberations (vimokkha) as well, and the six superknowledges have been realized; the Buddha's teaching has been done.
Thus indeed did the Venerable Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya Thera speak these verses.
The Apadāna of the Elder Tīṇikaṇikārapupphiya is concluded.
Second: the Apadāna of the Elder Ekapattadāyaka (502).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.