Psalms of the Brethren CCXXVI: Bhadda

An only child was I, to mother dear
And to my father dear. By many a rite
And much observance was I gotten, ay,
And many prayers. To do me kindness
they,

My good desiring, and my happiness,
Conducted me — father and mother too —
Into the presence of the Buddha blest.

‘Hardly hath he been gotten, this our child,
And he is delicate and softly reared.
Him do we give, O Lord, to thee, that he
May wait as servant on the Conqueror.’

The Master took me unto Him and thus
To Ananda did say: ‘Quickly admit
This child, for he a thoroughbred shall be.’

And then, thus sanctioning my coming forth,
The Conqueror withdrew to spend the night.
And as the sun rose up out of the dawn
Lo! then my heart was set at liberty.

Then to complete his work the Master, roused
From quietude: Come, Bhadda!’ called to me;
Thereby to me was ordination given.

Seven were my years when I was thus ordained.
The Threefold Wisdom have I made my own.
Hail to the seemly order of the Norm!