Thig 5.9
Bhadda Kundalakesa: The Former Jain Ascetic
translated from the Pali by
Hellmuth Hecker & Sister Khema
I traveled before in a single cloth, With shaven head, covered in dust, Thinking of faults in the faultless, While in the faulty seeing no faults. When done was the day's abiding, I went to Mount Vulture Peak And saw the stainless Buddha By the Order of Bhikkhus revered. Then before Him my hands in añjali Humbly, I bowed down on my knees. "Come, Bhadda," He said to me: And thus was I ordained. Debt-free, I traveled for fifty years In Anga, Magadha and Vajji, In Kasi and Kosala, too, Living on the alms of the land. That lay-supporter — wise man indeed — May many merits accrue to him! Who gave a robe to Bhadda for Free of all ties is she.