Commentary on Biography of the thera Āyāgadāyaka

Stanzas beginning with nibbute Lokanāthamhi constitute the biography of the venerable thera Āyāga. This one also, having done devoted service toward former Buddhas, accumulating meritorious deeds conducive towards escape from rounds of repeated rebirths (vaṭṭa), in this or that existence was reborn in a family-house at the time of demise (parinibbāna), of the Glorious One Sikhi; being piously pleased with the dispensation, gave the expenses to carpenters, had a long dining hall (or eating shed), worthy of mental satisfaction, built, invited the clergy of bhikkhus, catered them excellent nourishment, offered a great charity, and made his mind full of pious pleasure. Having done meritorious deeds as long as he lived and wandering about his rounds of rebirths, he enjoyed both kinds of prosperity, was reborn in a family house; properly gaining believing faith he became a monk, making effort and exertion, developed clear-insight (vipassanā), and before long even, he attained arahatship. He became well-known as Āyāgathera, under the influence of the meritorious deed done by him.

94. Having thus attained arahatship, under the influence of the load of merit done, he remembered the meritorious deed done formerly be himself, became delighted and uttered a stanza starting with Nibbute Lokanāthamhi, in order to make manifest the deed done formerly by him. There, Nibbute vadatam, of saying into nibbāna, are, excellent, in the interval of those who say "we are Buddhas", when the most excellent Glorious One Sikhi entered parinibbāna; thus, is the meaning. Haṭṭho baṭṭhena cittena (joyful and with joyous mind), because of pious faith, joyful and glad, with joyous mind due to the mind being associated with delight, uttamam thūpam (most excellent solid shrine), best pagoda: avandim (I paid my homage); I bowed my body; thus, is the meaning.

95. Vāḍḍhakīhi kathāpetvā (having had a talk with carpenters) having had a discussion done over the size asking thus:- "How large is the size of the eating-hall. This, is the meaning. Mūlam datvānaham tadā (then having given the price, I), then, at that time, I gave the price to those carpenters for the purpose of carrying out the work; āyāgam (long hall) well satisfied, I made them build a long eating hall with my delighted mind; thus is the meaning. The rest is but easily comprehensible.

97. Āyāgassa idam phalam (this is the fruition of the long hall), this is the beneficial result of offering the eating hall.

The commentary on the biography of the thera Āyāgadāyaka has ended.