[Verse 1]
Along the road, in days gone by,
A sacred stupa reached the sky.
Nāgasamāla held flowers bright,
And offered them with faith and light.
[Verse 2]
The flowers were simple, their beauty would fade,
But a heartfelt offering was lovingly made.
Though Buddha Sikhī had passed away,
His teachings still showed the timeless way.
[Pre-Chorus]
A peaceful heart, a gift sincere,
A wholesome deed brings joy and cheer.
Let faith awaken what we do,
And let the Dhamma guide us through.
[Chorus]
Flowers at the sacred stupa,
A heart devoted, pure and true.
Though passing years may come and go,
The seeds of goodness still can grow.
From faith to wisdom, let us rise,
Beyond all suffering, beyond all ties.
Keep the precepts, train the mind,
And seek the peace that we can find.
[Verse 3]
Through heavenly realms and human birth,
He journeyed through the changing earth.
Then came the Buddha's teaching light,
He left his home and chose the path.
[Bridge]
Four analytical knowledges,
Eight liberations shining bright.
Six higher knowledges realized,
His heart was free, his task complete.
[Final Chorus]
Flowers at the sacred stupa,
A symbol of devotion true.
Let every offering remind us all,
To answer wisdom's gentle call.
Not flowers alone, but lives made pure,
Through truth and practice, strong and sure.
With virtue, meditation, wisdom bright,
We walk toward freedom's light.
[Outro]
The flowers fade, the faith remains,
The Dhamma guides through joys and pains.
With a peaceful heart and wisdom clear,
The path to liberation draws near.
Venerable Nāgasamāla Thera: The Offering of Red Flowers at the Stupa of Buddha Sikhī
1. The Story in the Tipiṭaka
The story of Venerable Nāgasamāla Thera appears in the Nāgasamālattherāpadāna, No. 71, in the Apadāna, Khuddaka Nikāya, Sutta Piṭaka, Volume 32, within the Nāgasamāla Vagga.
The text describes the fruits of offering red flowers, known in Thai as dok khae foi, at a stupa.
In his verses, the elder recalled that, during the era of Buddha Sikhī, he took these flowers and offered them at a stupa built by the people along a major road.
Through this act of reverence, he accumulated wholesome merit. He declared that because of the deed he had performed, he never experienced an unfortunate destination.
His verses also mention that, in the fifteenth aeon before the present one, a Universal Monarch named Pupphiya appeared. This king possessed the seven treasures and great military strength.
At the conclusion, the elder declared that he had realized the four analytical knowledges, the eight liberations, and the six higher knowledges. He had completed the Buddha's dispensation.
2. The Life of Venerable Nāgasamāla Thera According to the Commentary
The commentary provides further details about his previous lives.
During the time of Buddha Sikhī, he was born into a family and later lived as a householder. While the Buddha was still alive, he had opportunities to see, hear, and pay homage to the Teacher.
After Buddha Sikhī passed away, he participated in arranging the Buddha's sacred relics and established a stupa. He then offered red flowers at that stupa, developing deep faith and joy in the wholesome deed. He maintained that joyful state of mind throughout his life.
After his death, he enjoyed happiness in six celestial realms, including the Tusita heaven, and subsequently experienced prosperity among human beings.
In the era of Buddha Gotama, he was born into a family and given the name Nāgasamāla. The commentary explains that his name was associated with a physical appearance resembling the young leaves of the kakathing tree.
Having developed faith in Buddha Gotama, he ordained as a monk and attained arahantship not long afterward.
Later, he recollected his former wholesome deeds with joy and recited the verses preserved in the Apadāna.
3. The Dhamma Teachings
Worship through faith: Offering flowers at a stupa is an expression of reverence and faith. The spiritual value of an offering is not measured simply by its material worth, but by the sincerity of the heart.
Recollection of the Buddha's qualities: A stupa serves as a reminder of the Buddha and his teachings. Paying homage should inspire us to practice the Dhamma in daily life.
Joy in wholesome deeds: The commentary describes the joy that arose from the offering. Good deeds should be performed with a cheerful and sincere mind.
Accumulating wholesome conditions: The story illustrates how wholesome actions can support spiritual development. However, liberation also requires the cultivation of wisdom and the practice of the Buddha's teachings.
The ultimate goal is liberation: The elder's final declaration refers to profound spiritual attainments and the completion of the Buddha's dispensation. The highest goal is not merely worldly prosperity, but freedom from defilements.
4. A Message for Buddhists Today
The story of Venerable Nāgasamāla Thera reminds us that even a simple flower can become an expression of deep devotion when offered with a sincere heart.
A stupa is a place of remembrance and reverence. Yet the deeper meaning of paying homage is to follow the Buddha's teachings through generosity, morality, meditation, and wisdom.
Offer flowers with faith, cultivate the mind with wisdom, and walk the path toward liberation.
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