Arhat/Sthavira: Praise
Praise to the Elders | Arhat/Sthavira Main PagePraise to the Sixteen Elders
You, [Shakyamuni Buddha] with a shining form the colour of gold, with one face and two hands, sitting in vajra posture; homage to you with one hand touching the ground and the other in meditation.
[1] On the great snow mountain of Kailash is the noble elder Angaja, surrounded by 1,300 arhats; homage to the one holding an incense bowl and flywhisk.
[2] On the Rishi mountain in Crystal Cave is the noble elder Ajita, surrounded by 100 arhats; homage to the one with the two hands placed in meditation.
[3] In the mountain cave of Seven-leaves is the noble elder Vanavasin, surrounded by 1,400 arhats; homage to the one with a pointing gesture and a flywhisk.
[4] On the good continent of Jambudvipa [Southern Continent] is the noble elder Kalika, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the one holding a pair of gold earrings.
[5] On the Island of Singha [Sri Lanka] is the noble elder Vajriputra, surrounded by 1,000 arhats; homage to the one performing a pointing gesture and holding a fly whisk.
[6] On an Island in the Yamuna River is the noble elder Bhadra, surrounded by 1,200 arhats; homage to the one performing [the gestures] of Dharma explication and meditation.
[7] In the excellent land of Kashmir is the noble elder Kanakavatsa, surrounded by 500 arhats; homage to the one holding a jewel lasso.
[8] On the wealthy [continent] of Apara-Godaniya is the noble elder Kanaka Bharadvaja, surrounded by 700 arhats; homage to the one with the two hands placed in meditation.
[9] On the northern [continent] of Kuru is the noble elder Bakula, surrounded by 900 arhats; homage to the one holding a mongoose with the two hands.
[10] On the Island of Priyangku is the noble elder Rahula, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the one holding a jewel tiara.
[11] On Vulture Peak Mountain [Bihar, India] is the noble elder Chudapantaka, surrounded by 1,600 arhats; homage to the one with the two hands placed in meditation.
[12] On the Eastern [continent] of Purva-Videha is the noble elder Pindola Bharadvaja, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the one holding a book and begging bowl.
[13] In the Heavens of the Thirty-Three is the noble elder Pantaka, surrounded by 900 arhats; homage to the one [performing] Dharma explication and holding a book.
[14] On the king of mountains, Vipulaparshva, is the noble elder Nagasena, surrounded by 1,200 arhats; homage to the one holding a vase and staff.
[15] On the king of mountains, Bihula, is the noble elder Gopaka, surrounded by 1,400 arhats; homage to the one holding a book with the two hands.
[16] On the King of Snow Mountains is the noble elder Abheda, surrounded by 1,100 arhats; homage to the one holding an enlightenment stupa.
Homage to the noble upasaka [layman] Dharmata with the hair in a topknot and a load of books, holding a flywhisk and vase, gazing forward on Amitabha in the sky.
You with the power of strength, guard well the Buddha's doctrine, homage to the Great Kings in the four directions of east [Dhritarashtra], south [Virudhaka], west [Virupaksha] and north [Vaishravana]. (Tibetan Buddhist liturgical verse).
[Translated by Jeff Watt, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. May, 1999]
(This page was originally located at this address: https://www.himalayanart.org/pages/Arhat_Praise.cfm).