Psalms of the Brethren CCIII: Kassapa of the River

O truly for my good it was that He,
The Buddha came to the Neraftjara,
Whose doctrine hearing, I renounced wrong views.

The celebrant in many a sacrifice,
I fostered sacred fire, oblations made;
‘These be the pure and holy rites!’ methought —
O blind and average worldling that I was!

Errant in wilderness of heresies,
By their contagion dazed and led astray,
I deemed that pure religion which was false.
And blinded was I, shiftless, ignorant.

Now is all error put away for me;
Broken the line of comings back to be.
Worth every gift, the Fire I celebrate:
I worship Him who on This Wise hath
Come.’

Illusions all have I put far away.
Crushed is the thirst for going on to be,
And shattered is the endless round of life.
Now cometh nevermore rebirth for me!