Theragāthā 236

Verses of the Senior Monks 10.4

The Book of the Tens

Chapter One

Cūḷapanthaka

1 My progress was slow,

I was despised in the past.

Even my brother turned me away,

saying, “Go home now.”

2 Turned away at the gate

of the Saṅgha’s monastery,

I stood there sadly,

longing for the dispensation.

3 Then the Buddha came

and touched my head.

Taking me by the arm,

he brought me into the Saṅgha’s monastery.

4 The Teacher, out of sympathy,

gave me a foot-wiping cloth, saying:

“Focus your awareness

exclusively on this clean cloth.”

5 After hearing his words,

I happily did his bidding.

I practiced meditative immersion

for the attainment of the highest goal.

6 I know my past lives,

my clairvoyance is clarified;

I’ve attained the three knowledges,

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

7 I, Panthaka, created a thousand

images of myself,

and sat in the delightful mango grove

until the time for the meal offering was announced.

8 Consequently, the Teacher sent to me

a messenger to announce the time.

When the time was announced,

I flew to him through the air.

9 I paid homage at the Teacher’s feet,

and sat to one side.

When he knew I was seated,

the Teacher received the offering.

10 Recipient of gifts from the whole world,

receiver of sacrifices,

field of merit for humanity,

he received the religious donation.