Commentary on Biography of the thera Dhajadāyaka

Stanzas starting with padumattara Buddhassa constitute the biography of the venerable thera Dhajadāvaka. This one also having done devoted service toward former Buddhas, accumulating meritorious deeds, conducive towards escape from rounds of rebirths (vaṭṭa) in this and that existence, was reborn in a family house, at the time of the Glorious One Padumuttara; on having grown up in due course, he developed pleasing faith in the Master, had a flag made of many a piece of fine cloth and made reverential offering of flag. On account of that act of merit, he was reborn in a family of high social status in every existence he was born and became worthy of reverential offering. Subsequently, he was reborn in a family house when this Buddha arose; on his having grown up in due course, he developed a household of wife and children, he became one of abundant wealth, possessed of fame, pious faith in the Master, clearly pious, and abandoned his household life. Having renounced the world he became an arahat as a monk.

57. After having attained the fruition of arahatship, he recollected his former deed, became pleasure-minded, and uttered a stanza starting with Padumuttara Buddhassa, in order to make manifest the deed done by him formerly. Haṭṭho haṭṭhena cittena (glad and with joyful heart) glad because of being yoked with mind accompanied by pleasure-mindedness, the body of allround full form and with mind joyful and contented because of the mind being associated with pious faith; thus, is the meaning. Dhajamāropayim aham (I mounted the flag) it quivers, trebles and shakes, thus dhaja (flag) that flag I mounted having hung at the top and tip of a bamboo pole I reverentially offered it; thus, is the meaning.

68-59. Patitapattāni gaṇhitvā (having seized the fallen leaves) having picked up the fallen leaves of the bodhi tree, I cast them away outside; thus, is the meaning. Antosuddham bahisuddham (pure in and out), He was pure from the mental body system of mind inside, as well as such physical body constituents as eyes, ears and so on, outside; adhi (particularly), distinctively; muttam (free), emancipated from depravity (kilesa), canker-free, resembling Buddha face to face, the most excellent bodhi-tree; avandim (I adored), I paid my homage;thus, is the meaning. The rest is but clear in meaning, everywhere.

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