Apadāna

Apadāna - Biographical Stories / Life Stories

Consists of 603 poems (between 589 and 603 in different editions), mostly biographical stories of senior Buddhist monks and nuns, but also of Buddhas and solitary Buddhas.

It is divided into two divisions:

1. Therāpadāna, giving the life stories of the Buddha, of 41 paccekabuddhas and of 559 arahats from Sāriputta to Raṭṭhapāla

2. Therīpadāna, giving the life stories of 40 therī arahats from Sumedhā Therī to Pesalā Therī

Whereas the Theragāthā and the Therīgāthā generally reveal the triumphant moment of achievements of the theras and the therīs, the Apadāna describes the up-hill work they have to undertake to reach the summit of their ambition. The Gāthās and the Apadāna supplement one another to unfold the inspiring tales of hard struggles and final conquests.