[120. Jātipūjaka1]

When Vipassi [Buddha] was born,
there was a vast effulgence [there].
The earth itself quaked [in response],
[as did its] oceans and mountains. (1) [1758]

They interpreted the omens:
“A Buddha is born2 in the world,
the Top of all living beings
who will lift up [all] the people.” (2) [1759]

Having heard [news] of the omens,
I performed pūjā for the birth.
There is no pūjā quite like the
pūjā that is done for the birth. (3) [1760]

Having brought [my] own heart pleasure,
restraining3 [myself] wholesomely,
after doing that birth-pūjā
I passed away [right] on the spot. (4) [1761]

In whichever womb I’m reborn,
[whether] it’s human or divine,
I surpass all [other] creatures:
that is the fruit of birth-pūjā. (5) [1762]

The relics [now] look after me,
through the power of my [own] heart.
[Others] cannot disturb me [now]:
that is the fruit of birth-pūjā. (6) [1763]

In the ninety-one aeons since
I performed that pūjā back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that is the fruit of birth-pūjā. (7) [1764]

In the thirtieth aeon ago,
four and thirty lords of people,
[all] named Supāricchariya,4
were wheel-turning kings with great strength. (8) [1765]

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
[I have] done what the Buddha taught! (9) [1766]

Thus indeed Venerable Jātipūjaka Thera spoke these verses.

The legend of Jātipūjaka Thera is finished.

The Summary:

Parivāra, Sumaṅgalya,
Saraṇ, Āsana, Pupphika,
CChitapūjī, Buddhasaññī,
Magg’, Upaṭṭhāna, Jātina
ninety uttered verses are
counted clearly [in this part].

The Mahāparivāra Chapter, the Twelfth.

  1. “Birth-Worshipper”

  2. lit., “will [have] become”

  3. reading saṃvaritvāna (BJTS) for saṃsaritvāna (“transmigrating,” PTS).

  4. “Good Serving” “Waiting on Well”