The Collection of Minor Texts

Whatever conduct there was during that period, all that ripened into enlightenment.

I shall speak of the conduct in this aeon, listen to me.

Having entered deep, I dwelt there, an ascetic named Akitti.

Bearing the appearance of a brahmin, he approached me for alms.

Seeing him standing at my door, I poured them into his bowl.

Abandoning the search again, I entered my leaf-hut.

Unwavering, unattached, just so I gave.

With rapture, happiness and delight, I spent that day.

Unwavering, not clinging, I would give supreme gifts.

Aspiring for omniscience, he performed those actions."

Wishing to cross the great ocean, I approached a port.

Practising the course through the wilderness, on that hard ground.

'This field has been reached by a person desiring merit.

Does not sow seed there, he is not one who wants grain.

If I do not do the work therein, I am not one interested in merit.

Does not give them wealth and grain, he falls away from the seal.

If I do not give that gift, I will fall away from merit."

Having paid homage at his feet, I gave the umbrella and sandals.

Moreover, fulfilling giving, thus I gave to him."

A king named Dhanañjaya, who had attained the ten wholesome qualities.

They begged me for a bull elephant, considered auspicious and fortunate.

Give us the excellent dragon, the dark one named Añjana.

Let my resolution not be broken, I will give the mighty elephant'.

Having poured water on my hands, I gave the elephant to the brahmins.

'Why do you give your excellent dragon to those who ask?

When this dragon is given away, what will your kingdom do for you?

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave away the dragon.'"

Named Mahāsudassana, a wheel-turning monarch of great power.

'Who wants what, who wishes what, to whom should what wealth be given.

Who being naked will put on clothes of various colours.

Thus evening and morning, I had proclaimed here and there.

But in many hundreds of places, wealth was prepared for those who asked.

Having obtained whatever wealth he wished for, he goes with hands full.

I do not give wealth with hatred, nor is there no accumulation in me.

Having satisfied the doctor with wealth, is freed from disease.

To fill the deficient mind, I give gifts to mendicants;

Without adhesion, without expectation, for the attainment of enlightenment."

Mahāgovinda the brahmin was honoured by kings.

With that I gave a great gift, unshakeable like the ocean.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I give excellent wealth."

A great king named Nimi, wise and seeking what is wholesome.

There I maintained giving, to animals, birds, humans and others.

Having made it uninterrupted, I maintained great giving.

By body, speech and mind, seeks to please.

Having satisfied beings with giving, I wish for supreme enlightenment."

In the city of Pupphavati, a prince named Canda.

Having generated a sense of urgency, I provided a great gift.

Without giving to those worthy of offerings, even for five or six nights.

Where there is great gain, there he takes those goods.

Therefore one should give to others, it will be a hundredfold.

I do not turn back from giving, for the attainment of enlightenment."

Having sat in the excellent mansion, I thought thus then.

'Even if someone would ask me for my eye, I would give it without wavering.'

Seated in the assembly of deities, spoke these words.

Reflecting on various gifts, he does not see anything that cannot be given.

Wait a moment, until I know that mind.'

Having become like a blind person, approached the king.

Having made reverential salutation at my head, spoke these words.

Your delight in giving and fame, has risen among deities and humans.

Give me one eye, you too can manage with one.'

With joined palms and inspired, I spoke these words.

Having known my mind, you came to ask for my eyes.

Today I shall give to the supplicant the excellent gift never given before.

Give both eyes, having plucked them out, to the beggar."

Having extracted them, gave them to the supplicant like palm pith.

There is no change of mind, for the sake of enlightenment indeed.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave away my eye."

She in past births, was the beloved chief queen of the king of deities.

'I give you ten boons, O fortunate one, whatever you wish'.

'What wrong have I done, why am I hateful to you;

You drive me from my delightful place, like the wind a tree.'

'You have done no evil, nor are you displeasing to me.

Accept these ten excellent boons given by me.'

Having taken me into her confidence, Phussati chose ten boons.

In the city of Jetuttara, I met with Sañjaya.

Due to my power my mother, was always delighting in giving.

To recluses, brahmins who are sharp, she gives gifts to those who own nothing.

In the middle of the merchants' street, Phussati gave birth to me.

Born here in the merchants' street, therefore I became Vessantara.

Then having sat in the mansion, I reflected on giving a gift.

Having announced I would give my body, if anyone should ask me."

The earth with Mount Sineru as its crown of woods shook.

Having mounted the elephant, I approached to give a gift.

They begged me for a bull elephant, considered auspicious and fortunate.

Give us the excellent dragon, the supreme elephant all white.

I do not hide what I have, my mind delights in giving.

'Let my resolution not be broken, I will give the mighty elephant'.

Having poured water on my hands, I gave the elephant to the brahmins.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

They banished me from their country, 'Go to the crooked mountain.'

To maintain the great giving, I requested one boon.

Having announced it by drum, I give the great gift.

By giving they remove this, again this one gives a gift.

Having given a great gift, I then departed from the city.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

Alone without a companion, I spoke this to Queen Maddi.

I will take Jali, for he is heavy, the elder one'.

Like a golden image, I took hold of a noble of the warrior class.

Stepping on uneven and even ground, we go to the crooked mountain.

We ask those seeking the path, 'where is the crooked mountain?'

They made known our suffering, 'The crooked mountain is far away.'

Because of those fruits, the children cry out.

Having bent down by themselves, approached the children.

Maddī, beautiful in all limbs, gave forth exclamation.

By Vessantara's spiritual power, the trees bent down by themselves.

On the very day they departed, they arrived at the Ceta kingdom.

All having made reverential salutation, came weeping.

Having departed from there, they went to the crooked mountain.

Make a well-constructed delightful hermitage, a well-built leaf-hut.

Made a well-constructed delightful hermitage, a well-built leaf-hut.

We four people there, dwelt between the mountains.

Dispelling each other's sorrow, lived in the hermitage then.

Maddi brought fruit, she nourished three people.

He begged for my children, both Jali and Kanhajina.

Taking both children, I gave them to the brahmin then.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

He begged me for divine Maddi, virtuous and devoted to her husband.

With clear intention, I gave Maddī to him.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

When giving them up I did not reflect, for the sake of enlightenment indeed.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave away my dear ones.

Crying compassionately, lamenting, conversing about pleasure and pain.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

I entered the delightful city, supreme Jetuttara city.

Then too the earth shook, with Sineru and forests as its crown.

Even that, by the power of my giving, shook seven times."

Living on grass, leaves and fruit, avoiding harming others.

Lived in the same neighbourhood, and were seen morning and evening.

'Avoid evil deeds, be devoted to good.'

I declared to them there: 'Today is the Uposatha day.'

Having given gifts to those worthy of offerings, observe the Uposatha.

Having prepared gifts, they searched for those worthy of offerings.

'If I find one worthy of offerings, what will my gift be.

I live on grass, grass cannot be given.

I would give my own self, they will not go away empty-handed.'

Approached my dwelling to test my giving.

'It is good that you have come, for the sake of food, to my presence.

You are endowed with virtuous qualities, it is not proper for you to harm others.

I shall cook myself, and when cooked you shall eat.'

He made a great pyre, having made a chamber of embers.

Having dusted off my limbs covered with dust, I sat down to one side.

Then leaping up I fell into the middle between the flames.

Allays disturbance and passion, and gives gratification and rapture.

All anguish subsided, just like with cool water.

The whole entire body, I gave to the brahmin."

There was none on earth then, equal to me in virtue.

'Suitable for you, great king, an elephant lives in the forest.

When taken by the trunk, he will come here by himself.'

Sent a skilled elephant trainer, a well-trained expert teacher.

One pulling up lotus roots and stalks, for the sustenance of his mother.

Having approached saying 'Come, son', he took hold of my trunk.

Today it is equal to the strength, of a thousand bull elephants.

I was capable of supporting them, even up to human kingship.

I did not allow my mind to change, when they put me in a basket.

I would not be angry with them, out of fear of breaking my virtue."

With Virūpakkha the great king, I went to the world of deities.

For the purpose of going to heaven, I undertook rules and observances.

Having established in four factors, I sleep on top of the anthill.

Whoever has need of these, let them take what is already given.

Having put me in a box, he makes sport of me here and there.

I did not get angry at the torment, out of fear of breaking virtue.

Breaking virtue for me is like the earth being torn apart.

But I would never break virtue, even for the sake of the four continents.

I did not allow my mind to change, even when they put me in a basket."

Then too I was righteous, devoted to rules and observances.

A snake charmer having caught me, performed at the king's gate.

Conforming to his mind, I became similar to what he thought.

If I were to be angry with him, I could turn him to ashes in a moment.

For one who has deteriorated from virtue, the highest goal does not succeed.

But I would never break virtue, like chaff being scattered."

Having seen existence as fearful, I went forth into renunciation.

She too, without expectation in the round of existence, went forth into renunciation.

Moving through villages and towns, they arrived at Bārāṇasi.

In the quiet, undisturbed royal park, we both lived.

Approaching me he asked, 'Who is she and whose wife?'

'She is not my wife, a companion in the Teaching, trained together.'

Forcefully oppressing, he made her enter the inner quarters.

When she was being dragged away, anger arose in me.

Right there I suppressed the anger, I did not let it increase further.

I would never break virtue, for the sake of enlightenment indeed.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I will protect virtue."

With a fully grown body, powerful, large, fearsome to behold.

There were dwelling places of buffaloes, here and there in various places.

Having approached that state, I stand and lie down.

On my shoulders, forehead, and eyebrows, he urinates and defecates.

He defiles me all the time, by that I am tormented.

'Destroy this vile evil one with horns and hooves.'

'Why do you smear me with a corpse, with an evil, ignoble one?

My virtue would be broken and wise ones would blame me.

Why should I, for the sake of life, cause harm to another?'

They will kill him, and that will be my freedom.

Thus the wise one gains what the mind has wished for."

The king of beasts named Ruru, supremely virtuous and concentrated.

There I took up residence, on the delightful bank of the Ganges.

A person fell into the Ganges, 'Whether I live or die'.

Crying with a compassionate wail, he went in the middle of the Ganges.

Standing on the bank of the Ganges, I asked 'Who are you person'.

'Frightened and agitated by creditors, I plunged into the great river'.

Having entered I brought him out, in the darkness of night.

'I ask one boon from you, do not tell about me to anyone'.

Having taken the king, he came to my presence.

Having heard the words, the king prepared an arrow for him;

'Right here I will kill this ignoble betrayer of friends'.

'Let him be, great king, I am at your disposal'.

For I was virtuous then, for the sake of enlightenment indeed."

Named Mātaṅga by name, virtuous and well concentrated.

I lived upstream, the brahmin lived downstream.

There having abused me, he cursed me with head-splitting.

Having looked at him, I could have turned him to ashes.

It fell on his head, I released him through exertion.

For I was virtuous then, for the sake of enlightenment indeed."

A great spirit named Dhamma, having compassion for all the world.

I wander through villages and towns, together with friends and followers.

He too wanders here on earth, together with friends and followers.

Clashing head to head, we both met on opposing paths.

For the sake of leaving the path, a great battle has arisen.

Together with his retinue, I would turn him to ashes.

Together with the people having entered, I gave the path to the evil one.

The earth immediately gave way for that evil spirit."

There was a king named Jayaddisa, endowed with virtuous qualities.

Resolute in being, endowed with qualities, always protected by my retinue.

He seized my father, saying 'You are my food, do not move.'

His thighs became stiff, seeing the man-eater.

Having given wealth to the brahmin, my father addressed me.

I have done what was needed with the man-eater, I will come back again.'

Having laid down bow and sword, I approached the man-eater.

Due to that virtue would be broken, when I cause him fear.

With a mind of loving-kindness, speaking for his welfare, I spoke these words.

Knowing the time of ripeness, eat me, O grandfather.'

And I made him give up the constant destruction of living beings."

Armed with fangs, terribly poisonous, forked-tongued, lord of serpents.

Having established in four factors, I made my dwelling there.

Whoever has need of these, let them take what is already given.

They approached me there, with clubs and hammers in their hands.

Having put me in a carrying pole, the sons of Bhoja carried me away.

If I wish there, I could burn it with a breath through my nose.

I did not get angry at the sons of Bhoja - this is my perfection of virtuous behavior."

Having seen a dewdrop fallen in the sunlight, I was stirred with urgency.

Having paid homage to mother and father, I requested the going forth.

'Today itself, son, take up this prosperous, flourishing, great kingdom'.

Who were lamenting with compassion, I gave it up without concern.

When giving them up I did not reflect, for the sake of enlightenment indeed.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."

A beloved and cherished son, well known by the name of Somanassa.

Respectful to elders, having moral shame, and skilled in acts of assistance.

Having planted a monastery and a flower garden, he lives.

Like a tree hollow inside, like a banana tree without substance.

Abandoned by shame and bright Teaching, for the sake of making a living.

Going to suppress that, my father instructed me.

Grant whatever he wishes, for he gives all sensual pleasures.'

'How are you householder, what should be brought to you'.

'Today I will have you killed, or I will banish you from the kingdom'.

'How are you venerable Sir, has proper honour been shown to you'.

Having heard those words, the monarch gave the order.

Show it from street to street, that is the destination of one who despised the matted-hair ascetic'.

Having dragged me away while sitting on mother's lap, they led me away.

'Show me quickly to the king, I have royal duties.'

Having seen him, I convinced him and brought him under my influence.

Having broken through that darkness, I went forth into homelessness.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."

Raised in an iron house, I was named Ayoghara.

'Today itself, son, take up this entire ground.'

Having raised my hands in reverential salutation, I spoke these words.

Unprotected in their own homes, they grow up with their relatives.

Raised in a prison house, with little light of sun and moon.

Then into even more terrible suffering, thrown again into prison.

If I delight in kingdoms, I would be foremost among evil ones.

I will seek quenching, where death would not crush me."

Like a bull elephant breaking its bondage, I entered the forest grove.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I gave up the kingdom."

A sister and seven brothers were born in a brahmin family.

Having seen existence as fearful, I delighted in renunciation.

They invite me with sensual pleasures, saying "maintain the family lineage."

That was hard for me, like a heated iron stake.

'What do you aspire to, friend, if you do not enjoy sensual pleasures.'

'I do not aspire to the householder's life, I delight in renunciation.'

Mother and father spoke thus, "Let us all go forth, sir."

Having abandoned immense wealth, we entered the great forest."

There in an excellent family, wealthy merchants, I was born.

The mind recoils from existence, like being struck by a goad.

'When will I depart from home and enter the forest'.

I declared my intention to them, 'Do not invite me with those'.

He too, training under me, found delight in going forth.

Then too, having abandoned wealth, we entered the great forest."

By the name Mūgapakkha, they called me Temiya.

After the passing of days and nights, I alone was born.

Having held the white parasol, my father nourishes me on a couch.

I saw the white parasol, by which I went to hell.

Having reached a decision, 'How shall I be freed from this?'

Having seen me suffering, she engaged me in three states.

Let all people despise you, thus there will be benefit for you."

'I will do what you say, what you speak, O deity;

Delighted with stirred mind, I established myself in three factors.

Having determined these factors, I dwelt for sixteen years.

Having seen me undiminished, they condemned me as 'ill-fated.'

All being of one mind, approved my expulsion.

The purpose for which austerity was practiced, that goal succeeded for me.

Having consecrated me with the parasol, they made me circumambulate the city.

Having taken me out by chariot, the charioteer went to the forest.

The charioteer digs a pit to bury me in the earth.

I did not break that standpoint, for the sake of enlightenment indeed.

Omniscience is dear to me, therefore I determined the vow.

None equals me in determination, this is my perfection of determination."

Harassed by a crocodile, I could not get passage.

There waited a murderous enemy, a crocodile, terrible to behold.

Having stepped on his head, I established myself on the far bank.

None equals me in truth, this is my perfection of truth."

I protected the world with truth, and made the people united."

Wings not yet grown, young, a lump of flesh in the nest.

I live by its contact, I have no bodily strength.

The dark-tracked blazing one approaches us.

Burning gradually, the fire approached me.

Abandoning me in the nest, saved themselves.

Thus stranded there, I thought thus then.

They have departed leaving me behind, what should I do today.

By that truth I will make the supreme declaration of truth.

Relying on the power of truth, I made a declaration of truth.

Mother and father have gone out, O fire deity, turn back.'

Moved back sixteen lengths, like a flame reaching water;

None equals me in truth, this is my perfection of truth."

In the heat and torment of the sun, the water in the lake was drying up.

Devoured day and night, having settled near the fish.

'By what means could I free my relatives from suffering'.

Standing firm in truth, he freed his relatives from that utter destruction.

He made an act of truth about what is stable and eternal in the world.

I do not recall intentionally harming even a single living being.

Thunder, O rain cloud, destroy the crow's treasure;

Pierce the crow with sorrow, free the fish from sorrow.

Filling both high and low ground, in a moment it rained down.

I made the great cloud rain, relying on the power of the force of truth;

For over fifty years, I wandered without delight.

For I did not tell anyone, discontent roams in my mind.

Connected with past action, gained impalement.

Having taken leave, I came to what was my own hermitage.

The three people gathered together, came as guests.

A boy tossing up a ball, provoked a venomous snake.

Touched with his hand the head of the venomous snake.

Enraged with utmost anger, bit the boy in an instant.

Because of that I was distressed, that suffering affected me.

I first performed the act, the supreme and highest truth.

And then there was this practice of mine for more than fifty years.

Let the poison be destroyed and Yaññadatta live."

He became conscious and rose up, and the young man was free from illness;

None equals me in truth, this is my perfection of truth."

Seized by the man-eater, I remembered my promise to the brahmin.

Having made them wither away, he led me for the purpose of sacrifice.

I will do according to your thought, if you will return to me'.

Having approached the delightful city, I handed over the kingdom then.

Having given wealth to the brahmin, I approached the man-eater.

Protecting truthful speech, I approached to give up my life;

None equals me in truth, this is my perfection of truth."

In the wilds I approached with loving-kindness lions and tigers.

I dwelt in the forest surrounded by spotted deer and boars.

Supported by the power of loving-kindness, I then delighted in the wilds."

Having firmly established supreme virtuous behavior, I rule over the great earth.

With the four means of sustaining a favorable relationship, I sustain the multitude.

Dabbasena having approached, seizing my city.

Having taken all under control, he buried me in a pit.

Having taken what was seized, I saw him like a dear son;

Village lads having approached, show not a little form.

They bring offerings, delighted with stirred mind.

I am equal to all, compassion and anger are not found.

Everywhere I was even-minded, this was my perfection of equanimity."