[542. {545.}^[1] Nandaka^[2]]

The Victor, Padumuttara,
the One with Eyes for everything,
the Leader [of the World,] arose
a hundred thousand aeons hence. (1) [6165]

Out of friendship for all beings,
for [their] happiness and profit,
the Best Debater, Well-Bred Man,
practiced^[3] in [the world] with [its] gods. (2) [6166]

Who Reached the Height of Fame,^[4] Splendrous,^[5]
Supported by Praise,^[6] the Victor,
the Worshipped One^[7] of every world,
Well-Known^[8] in all directions, (3) [6167]

who Crossed Over Perplexity,^[9]
who Moved Beyond Saying “How? How?,”^[10]
whose Mind’s Intentions are Fulfilled,^[11]
Attained supreme Awakening.^[12] (4) [6168]

The Ultimate Man, Producer^[13]
of the road to non-production,^[14]
declared what had not been declared
and gave birth to what was unborn. (5) [6169]

Road-Knower,^[15] Road-Discerner,^[16] he’s
the Road-Teller,^[17] the Bull of Men.
Skilled^[18] on^[19] the road, the Teacher is
the Ultimate Best^[20] of drivers.^[21] (6) [6170]

Then the Great Compassionate One,
the Leader is preaching Dhamma,
lifting up beings who are stuck
on the road [known as] delusion. (7) [6171]

The Great Sage praised a follower
who was regarded as the best
in exhorting of [Buddhist] nuns,
[and] placed^[22] [him] in that foremost place. (8) [6172]

After hearing that I was thrilled.
Inviting [him], the Thus-Gone-One,
having fed [him] with Assembly,
I aspired to that supreme place. (9) [6173]

At that time, the Lord, [also] thrilled,
the Great Sage said [these words] to me:
“Be happy, O long-lived one; you
will receive that beautiful [place]. (10) [6174]

In one hundred thousand aeons,
arising in Okkāka’s clan,
the one whose name is Gotama
will be the Teacher in the world. (11) [6175]

Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma,
Dhamma’s legitimate offspring,
the one whose name is Nandaka
will be the Teacher’s follower.” (12) [6176]

Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and [firm] resolve,
discarding [my] human body,
I was gone to Tāvatiṃsa. (13) [6177]

And now, in [my] final rebirth,
I’m born in a millionaire’s clan,
rich, prosperous, very wealthy,
in the great city, Śrāvasti. (14) [6178]

Seeing the Well-Gone-One at the
city gate, I was astonished;^[23]
when [he] got Jeta Hermitage,^[24]
I went forth into homelessness. (15) [6179]

After not a very long time,
I attained [my] arahantship.
Then I’m one who’s crossed existence,
instructed by the All-Seer.^[25] (16) [6180]

I preached Dhamma to the nuns [and]
performed the question and answer.
Instructed by me, all of them
became [arahants], undefiled. (17) [6181]

Five hundred [of them], none lacking;
the Great Friend,^[26] gladdened at that time,
placed me in the foremost place of
those who give instruction to nuns. (18) [6182]

Karma done a hundred thousand
[aeons hence] showed me [its] fruit here:
well-liberated, arrow-quick,
I have destroyed my defilements. (19) [6183]

My defilements are [now] burnt up;
all [new] existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. (20) [6184]

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! (21) [6185]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (22) [6186]

Thus indeed Venerable Nandaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Nandaka Thera is finished.