Kassapa · SN 16.1–16.8

SN 16.1 · Content

SN 16.1 · Santuṭṭhasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“Mendicants, Kassapa is content with any kind of robe, and praises such contentment. He doesn’t employ improper solicitation for the sake of a robe. He doesn’t worry if he doesn’t get a robe. And if he does get a robe, he uses it untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawback, and understanding the escape.

“Santuṭṭhāyaṁ, bhikkhave, kassapo itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī; na ca cīvarahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjati; aladdhā ca cīvaraṁ na paritassati; laddhā ca cīvaraṁ agadhito amucchito anajjhāpanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati.

Kassapa is content with any kind of almsfood …

Santuṭṭhāyaṁ, bhikkhave, kassapo itarītarena piṇḍapātena, itarītarapiṇḍapātasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī; na ca piṇḍapātahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjati; aladdhā ca piṇḍapātaṁ na paritassati; laddhā ca piṇḍapātaṁ agadhito amucchito anajjhāpanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati.

Kassapa is content with any kind of lodging …

Santuṭṭhāyaṁ, bhikkhave, kassapo itarītarena senāsanena, itarītarasenāsanasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī; na ca senāsanahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjati; aladdhā ca senāsanaṁ na paritassati; laddhā ca senāsanaṁ agadhito amucchito anajjhāpanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati.

Kassapa is content with any kind of medicines and supplies for the sick …

Santuṭṭhāyaṁ, bhikkhave, kassapo itarītarena gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, itarītaragilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī; na ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjati; aladdhā ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ na paritassati; laddhā ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ agadhito amucchito anajjhāpanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati.

So you should train like this: ‘We will be content with any kind of robe, and praise such contentment. We won’t employ improper solicitation for the sake of a robe. We won’t worry if we don’t get a robe. And if we do get a robe, we’ll use it untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawback, and understanding the escape.’

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘santuṭṭhā bhavissāma itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādino; na ca cīvarahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjissāma; aladdhā ca cīvaraṁ na ca paritassissāma; laddhā ca cīvaraṁ agadhitā amucchitā anajjhāpannā ādīnavadassāvino nissaraṇapaññā paribhuñjissāma’.

(All should be told in full the same way.)

(Evaṁ sabbaṁ kātabbaṁ.)

‘We will be content with any kind of almsfood …’ ‘We will be content with any kind of lodging …’ ‘We will be content with any kind of medicines and supplies for the sick …’ That’s how you should train. I will exhort you with the example of Kassapa or someone like him. You should practice accordingly.”

‘Santuṭṭhā bhavissāma itarītarena piṇḍapātena …pe… santuṭṭhā bhavissāma itarītarena senāsanena …pe… santuṭṭhā bhavissāma itarītarena gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, itarītaragilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādino; na ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārahetu anesanaṁ appatirūpaṁ āpajjissāma aladdhā ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ na paritassissāma; laddhā ca gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ agadhitā amucchitā anajjhāpannā ādīnavadassāvino nissaraṇapaññā paribhuñjissāmā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ. Kassapena vā hi vo, bhikkhave, ovadissāmi yo vā panassa kassapasadiso, ovaditehi ca pana vo tathattāya paṭipajjitabban”ti.

SN 16.2 · Imprudent

SN 16.2 · Anottappīsutta

So I have heard. At one time Venerable Mahākassapa and Venerable Sāriputta were staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca mahākassapo āyasmā ca sāriputto bārāṇasiyaṁ viharanti isipatane migadāye.

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Venerable Mahākassapa, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Mahākassapa:

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā mahākassapo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā mahākassapena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ etadavoca:

“Reverend Kassapa, it’s said that without being keen and prudent you can’t achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. But if you are keen and prudent you can achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

“vuccati hidaṁ, āvuso kassapa, anātāpī anottappī abhabbo sambodhāya abhabbo nibbānāya abhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya; ātāpī ca kho ottappī bhabbo sambodhāya bhabbo nibbānāya bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāyā”ti.

To what extent is this the case?”

“Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, anātāpī hoti anottappī abhabbo sambodhāya abhabbo nibbānāya abhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya; kittāvatā ca panāvuso, ātāpī hoti ottappī bhabbo sambodhāya bhabbo nibbānāya bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāyā”ti?

“Reverend, take a mendicant who doesn’t foster keenness by thinking: ‘If unarisen unskillful qualities arise in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give up arisen unskillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give rise to unarisen skillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If arisen skillful qualities cease in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ That’s how you’re not keen.

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ‘anuppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā uppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ātappaṁ karoti, ‘uppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā appahīyamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ātappaṁ karoti, ‘anuppannā me kusalā dhammā nuppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ātappaṁ karoti, ‘uppannā me kusalā dhammā nirujjhamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ātappaṁ karoti. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, anātāpī hoti.

And how are you not prudent? Take a mendicant who doesn’t foster prudence by thinking: ‘If unarisen unskillful qualities arise in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give up arisen unskillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give rise to unarisen skillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If arisen skillful qualities cease in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ That’s how you’re not prudent. That’s how without being keen and prudent you can’t achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

Kathañcāvuso, anottappī hoti? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ‘anuppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā uppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ottappati, ‘uppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā appahīyamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ottappati, ‘anuppannā me kusalā dhammā nuppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ottappati, ‘uppannā me kusalā dhammā nirujjhamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti na ottappati. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, anottappī hoti. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, anātāpī anottappī abhabbo sambodhāya abhabbo nibbānāya abhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

And how are you keen? Take a mendicant who fosters keenness by thinking: ‘If unarisen unskillful qualities arise in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give up arisen unskillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give rise to unarisen skillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If arisen skillful qualities cease in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ That’s how you’re keen.

Kathañcāvuso, ātāpī hoti? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ‘anuppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā uppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ātappaṁ karoti, ‘uppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā appahīyamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ātappaṁ karoti, anuppannā me kusalā dhammā …pe… ātappaṁ karoti. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, ātāpī hoti.

And how are you prudent? Take a mendicant who fosters prudence by thinking: ‘If unarisen unskillful qualities arise in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give up arisen unskillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If I don’t give rise to unarisen skillful qualities, they’ll lead to harm.’ ‘If arisen skillful qualities cease in me, they’ll lead to harm.’ That’s how you’re prudent. That’s how if you’re keen and prudent you can achieve awakening, extinguishment, and the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.”

Kathañcāvuso, ottappī hoti? Idhāvuso, bhikkhu ‘anuppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā uppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ottappati, ‘uppannā me pāpakā akusalā dhammā appahīyamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ottappati, ‘anuppannā me kusalā dhammā anuppajjamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ottappati, ‘uppannā me kusalā dhammā nirujjhamānā anatthāya saṁvatteyyun’ti ottappati. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, ottappī hoti. Evaṁ kho, āvuso, ātāpī ottappī bhabbo sambodhāya bhabbo nibbānāya bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāyā”ti.

SN 16.3 · Like the Moon

SN 16.3 · Candūpamāsutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“Mendicants, you should approach families like the moon: withdrawn in body and mind, ever the newcomer, and never rude. Suppose a person were to look down at an old well, a rugged cliff, or an inaccessible riverland. They’d withdraw their body and mind. In the same way, you should approach families like the moon: withdrawn in body and mind, always the newcomer, and never rude.

“Candūpamā, bhikkhave, kulāni upasaṅkamatha— apakasseva kāyaṁ, apakassa cittaṁ, niccanavakā kulesu appagabbhā. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso jarudapānaṁ vā olokeyya pabbatavisamaṁ vā nadīviduggaṁ vā— apakasseva kāyaṁ, apakassa cittaṁ; evameva kho, bhikkhave, candūpamā kulāni upasaṅkamatha— apakasseva kāyaṁ, apakassa cittaṁ, niccanavakā kulesu appagabbhā.

Kassapa approaches families like the moon: withdrawn in body and mind, ever the newcomer, and never rude.

Kassapo, bhikkhave, candūpamo kulāni upasaṅkamati— apakasseva kāyaṁ, apakassa cittaṁ, niccanavako kulesu appagabbho.

What do you think, mendicants? What kind of mendicant is worthy of approaching families?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, kathaṁrūpo bhikkhu arahati kulāni upasaṅkamitun”ti?

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”

“Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā bhagavaṁpaṭisaraṇā. Sādhu vata, bhante, bhagavantaṁyeva paṭibhātu etassa bhāsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.

Then the Buddha waved his hand in space.

Atha kho bhagavā ākāse pāṇiṁ cālesi.

“Mendicants, this hand is not stuck or held or caught in space. In the same way, when approaching families, a mendicant’s mind is not stuck or held or caught, thinking: ‘May those who want material things get them, and may those who want merit make merits!’ They’re just as pleased and happy when others get something as they are when they get something. This kind of mendicant is worthy of approaching families.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ayaṁ ākāse pāṇi na sajjati na gayhati na bajjhati; evameva kho, bhikkhave, yassa kassaci bhikkhuno kulāni upasaṅkamato kulesu cittaṁ na sajjati na gayhati na bajjhati: ‘labhantu lābhakāmā, puññakāmā karontu puññānī’ti; yathāsakena lābhena attamano hoti sumano, evaṁ paresaṁ lābhena attamano hoti sumano; evarūpo kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu arahati kulāni upasaṅkamituṁ.

When Kassapa approaches families, his mind is not stuck or held or caught, thinking: ‘May those who want material things get them, and may those who want merit make merits!’ He’s just as pleased and happy when others get something as he is when he gets something.

Kassapassa, bhikkhave, kulāni upasaṅkamato kulesu cittaṁ na sajjati na gayhati na bajjhati: ‘labhantu lābhakāmā, puññakāmā karontu puññānī’ti; yathāsakena lābhena attamano hoti sumano; evaṁ paresaṁ lābhena attamano hoti sumano.

What do you think, mendicants? What kind of mendicant’s teaching is pure, and what kind is impure?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, kathaṁrūpassa bhikkhuno aparisuddhā dhammadesanā hoti, kathaṁrūpassa bhikkhuno parisuddhā dhammadesanā hotī”ti?

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”

“Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā bhagavaṁpaṭisaraṇā. Sādhu vata, bhante, bhagavantaṁyeva paṭibhātu etassa bhāsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.

“Well then, mendicants, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Tena hi, bhikkhave, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Whoever teaches Dhamma to others with the thought: ‘Oh! May they listen to the teaching from me. When they’ve heard it, may they gain confidence in the teaching and demonstrate their confidence to me.’ Such a mendicant’s teaching is impure.

“Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁcitto paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti: ‘aho vata me dhammaṁ suṇeyyuṁ, sutvā ca pana dhammaṁ pasīdeyyuṁ, pasannā ca me pasannākāraṁ kareyyun’ti; evarūpassa kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno aparisuddhā dhammadesanā hoti.

Whoever teaches Dhamma to others with the thought: ‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Oh! May they listen to the teaching from me. When they’ve heard it, may they understand the teaching and practice accordingly.’ So they teach others because of the clear rightness of the teaching, out of compassion, kindness, and sympathy. Such a mendicant’s teaching is pure.

Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁcitto paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti: ‘svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhīti. Aho vata me dhammaṁ suṇeyyuṁ, sutvā ca pana dhammaṁ ājāneyyuṁ, ājānitvā ca pana tathattāya paṭipajjeyyun’ti. Iti dhammasudhammataṁ paṭicca paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, kāruññaṁ paṭicca anuddayaṁ paṭicca anukampaṁ upādāya paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti. Evarūpassa kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno parisuddhā dhammadesanā hoti.

Kassapa teaches Dhamma to others with the thought: ‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Oh! May they listen to the teaching from me. When they’ve heard it, may they understand the teaching and practice accordingly.’

Kassapo, bhikkhave, evaṁcitto paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti: ‘svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhīti. Aho vata me dhammaṁ suṇeyyuṁ, sutvā ca pana dhammaṁ ājāneyyuṁ, ājānitvā ca pana tathattāya paṭipajjeyyun’ti.

Thus he teaches others because of the clear rightness of the teaching, out of compassion, kindness, and sympathy. I will exhort you with the example of Kassapa or someone like him. You should practice accordingly.”

Iti dhammasudhammataṁ paṭicca paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, kāruññaṁ paṭicca anuddayaṁ paṭicca anukampaṁ upādāya paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti. Kassapena vā hi vo, bhikkhave, ovadissāmi yo vā panassa kassapasadiso, ovaditehi ca pana vo tathattāya paṭipajjitabban”ti.

SN 16.4 · Visiting Families

SN 16.4 · Kulūpakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“What do you think, mendicants? What kind of mendicant is worthy of visiting families? And what kind of mendicant is not worthy of visiting families?”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, kathaṁrūpo bhikkhu arahati kulūpako hotuṁ, kathaṁrūpo bhikkhu na arahati kulūpako hotun”ti?

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …” The Buddha said this:

Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā …pe… bhagavā etadavoca:

“Whoever visits families with the thought: ‘May they give to me, may they not fail to give. May they give a lot, not a little. May they give me fine things, not coarse. May they give quickly, not slowly. May they give carefully, not carelessly.’ If a mendicant with such a thought approaches a family and they don’t give, the mendicant feels slighted. And they experience pain and sadness because of that. If they give only a little … if they give coarse things … if they give slowly … if they give carelessly, the mendicant feels slighted. And they experience pain and sadness because of that. That kind of mendicant is not worthy of visiting families.

“Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁcitto kulāni upasaṅkamati: ‘dentuyeva me, mā nādaṁsu; bahukaññeva me dentu, mā thokaṁ; paṇītaññeva me dentu, mā lūkhaṁ; sīghaññeva me dentu, mā dandhaṁ; sakkaccaññeva me dentu, mā asakkaccan’ti. Tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno evaṁcittassa kulāni upasaṅkamato na denti, tena bhikkhu sandīyati; so tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Thokaṁ denti, no bahukaṁ …pe… lūkhaṁ denti, no paṇītaṁ … dandhaṁ denti, no sīghaṁ, tena bhikkhu sandīyati; so tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Asakkaccaṁ denti, no sakkaccaṁ; tena bhikkhu sandīyati; so tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Evarūpo kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na arahati kulūpako hotuṁ.

Whoever visits families with the thought: ‘When among other families, how could I possibly think:

Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁcitto kulāni upasaṅkamati: ‘taṁ kutettha labbhā parakulesu—

“May they give to me, may they not fail to give. May they give a lot, not a little. May they give me fine things, not coarse. May they give quickly, not slowly. May they give carefully, not carelessly.”’ If a mendicant with such a thought approaches a family and they don’t give, the mendicant doesn’t feel slighted. And they don’t experience pain and sadness because of that. If they give only a little … if they give coarse things … if they give slowly … if they give carelessly, the mendicant doesn’t feel slighted. And they don’t experience pain and sadness because of that. That kind of mendicant is worthy of visiting families.

dentuyeva me, mā nādaṁsu; bahukaññeva me dentu, mā thokaṁ; paṇītaññeva me dentu, mā lūkhaṁ; sīghaññeva me dentu, mā dandhaṁ; sakkaccaññeva me dentu, mā asakkaccan’ti. Tassa ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno evaṁcittassa kulāni upasaṅkamato na denti; tena bhikkhu na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Thokaṁ denti, no bahukaṁ; tena bhikkhu na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Lūkhaṁ denti, no paṇītaṁ; tena bhikkhu na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Dandhaṁ denti, no sīghaṁ; tena bhikkhu na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Asakkaccaṁ denti, no sakkaccaṁ; tena bhikkhu na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Evarūpo kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu arahati kulūpako hotuṁ.

Kassapa visits families with the thought: ‘When among other families, how could I possibly think:

Kassapo, bhikkhave, evaṁcitto kulāni upasaṅkamati: ‘taṁ kutettha labbhā parakulesu—

“May they give to me, may they not fail to give. May they give a lot, not a little. May they give me fine things, not coarse. May they give quickly, not slowly. May they give carefully, not carelessly.”’ With such a thought, if he approaches a family and they don’t give, he doesn’t feel slighted. And he doesn’t experience pain and sadness because of that. If they give only a little … if they give coarse things … if they give slowly … if they give carelessly, he doesn’t feel slighted. And he doesn’t experience pain and sadness because of that. I will exhort you with the example of Kassapa or someone like him. You should practice accordingly.”

dentuyeva me, mā nādaṁsu; bahukaññeva me dentu, mā thokaṁ; paṇītaññeva me dentu, mā lūkhaṁ; sīghaññeva me dentu, mā dandhaṁ; sakkaccaññeva me dentu, mā asakkaccan’ti. Tassa ce, bhikkhave, kassapassa evaṁcittassa kulāni upasaṅkamato na denti; tena kassapo na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Thokaṁ denti, no bahukaṁ; tena kassapo na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Lūkhaṁ denti, no paṇītaṁ; tena kassapo na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Dandhaṁ denti, no sīghaṁ; tena kassapo na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Asakkaccaṁ denti, no sakkaccaṁ; tena kassapo na sandīyati; so na tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedayati. Kassapena vā hi vo, bhikkhave, ovadissāmi yo vā panassa kassapasadiso. Ovaditehi ca pana vo tathattāya paṭipajjitabban”ti.

SN 16.6 · Advice

SN 16.6 · Ovādasutta

Near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove. Then Venerable Mahākassapa went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

Rājagahe veḷuvane. Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Kassapa, advise the mendicants! Give them a Dhamma talk! Either you or I should advise the mendicants and give them a Dhamma talk.”

“ovada, kassapa, bhikkhū; karohi, kassapa, bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ. Ahaṁ vā, kassapa, bhikkhū ovadeyyaṁ tvaṁ vā; ahaṁ vā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ kareyyaṁ tvaṁ vā”ti.

“Sir, the mendicants these days are hard to admonish, having qualities that make them hard to admonish. They’re impatient, and don’t take instruction respectfully.

“Dubbacā kho, bhante, etarahi bhikkhū, dovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgatā, akkhamā, appadakkhiṇaggāhino anusāsaniṁ.

Take the monk named Bhaṇḍa, Ānanda’s protégé. He’s been competing in studies with the monk named Abhiñjika, Anuruddha’s protégé. They say: ‘Come on, monk, who can speak more? Who can speak better? Who can speak longer?’”

Idhāhaṁ, bhante, addasaṁ bhaṇḍañca nāma bhikkhuṁ ānandassa saddhivihāriṁ abhijikañca nāma bhikkhuṁ anuruddhassa saddhivihāriṁ aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadante: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’”ti.

So the Buddha addressed one of the monks, “Please, monk, in my name tell the monk named Bhaṇḍa, Ānanda’s protégé, and the monk named Abhiñjika, Anuruddha’s protégé that the Teacher summons them.”

Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena bhaṇḍañca bhikkhuṁ ānandassa saddhivihāriṁ abhijikañca bhikkhuṁ anuruddhassa saddhivihāriṁ āmantehi: ‘satthā āyasmante āmantetī’”ti.

“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to those monks and said, “Venerables, the Teacher summons you.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te bhikkhū etadavoca: “satthā āyasmante āmantetī”ti.

“Yes, reverend,” those monks replied. They went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them:

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca:

“Is it really true, monks, that you’ve been competing in studies, saying: ‘Come on, monk, who can speak more? Who can speak better? Who can speak longer?’”

“saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadatha: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Have you ever known me to teach the Dhamma like this: ‘Please mendicants, compete in studies to see who can recite more and better and longer’?”

“Kiṁ nu kho me tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānātha: ‘etha tumhe, bhikkhave, aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadatha— ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“If you’ve never known me to teach the Dhamma like this, what then do you know and see, you futile men, that after going forth in such a well explained teaching and training you’d compete in studies to see who can speak more and better and longer?”

“No ce kira me tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānātha, atha kiñcarahi tumhe, moghapurisā, kiṁ jānantā kiṁ passantā evaṁ svākkhāte dhammavinaye pabbajitā samānā aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadatha: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’”ti.

Then those monks bowed with their heads to the Buddha’s feet and said, “We made a mistake, sir. It was foolish, stupid, and unskillful of us in that after going forth in such a well explained teaching and training we competed in studies to see who can speak more and better and longer. Please, sir, accept our mistake for what it is, so we will restrain ourselves in future.”

Atha kho te bhikkhū bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “accayo no, bhante, accagamā, yathābāle yathāmūḷhe yathāakusale, ye mayaṁ evaṁ svākkhāte dhammavinaye pabbajitā samānā aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadimha: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’ti. Tesaṁ no, bhante, bhagavā accayaṁ accayato paṭiggaṇhātu āyatiṁ saṁvarāyā”ti.

“Indeed, monks, you made a mistake. It was foolish, stupid, and unskillful of you to act in that way. But since you have recognized your mistake for what it is, and have dealt with it properly, I accept it. For it is growth in the training of the Noble One to recognize a mistake for what it is, deal with it properly, and commit to restraint in the future.”

“Taggha tumhe, bhikkhave, accayo accagamā yathābāle yathāmūḷhe yathāakusale, ye tumhe evaṁ svākkhāte dhammavinaye pabbajitā samānā aññamaññaṁ sutena accāvadittha: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko bahutaraṁ bhāsissati, ko sundarataraṁ bhāsissati, ko cirataraṁ bhāsissatī’ti. Yato ca kho tumhe, bhikkhave, accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikarotha, taṁ vo mayaṁ paṭiggaṇhāma. Vuddhi hesā, bhikkhave, ariyassa vinaye yo accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikaroti āyatiñca saṁvaraṁ āpajjatī”ti.

SN 16.7 · Advice (2nd)

SN 16.7 · Dutiyaovādasutta

Near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove. Then Venerable Mahākassapa went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.

Rājagahe viharati veḷuvane. Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami …pe…

The Buddha said to him, “Kassapa, advise the mendicants! Give them a Dhamma talk! Either you or I should advise the mendicants and give them a Dhamma talk.”

ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “ovada, kassapa, bhikkhū; karohi, kassapa, bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ. Ahaṁ vā, kassapa, bhikkhū ovadeyyaṁ tvaṁ vā; ahaṁ vā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ kareyyaṁ tvaṁ vā”ti.

“Sir, the mendicants these days are hard to admonish, having qualities that make them hard to admonish. They’re impatient, and don’t take instruction respectfully.

“Dubbacā kho, bhante, etarahi bhikkhū, dovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgatā akkhamā appadakkhiṇaggāhino anusāsaniṁ.

Sir, whoever has no faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Yassa kassaci, bhante, saddhā natthi kusalesu dhammesu, hirī natthi kusalesu dhammesu, ottappaṁ natthi kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyaṁ natthi kusalesu dhammesu, paññā natthi kusalesu dhammesu, tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

It’s like the moon in the waning fortnight. Whether by day or by night, its beauty, roundness, luminosity, and diameter and circumference only decline.

Seyyathāpi, bhante, kāḷapakkhe candassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, hāyateva vaṇṇena, hāyati maṇḍalena, hāyati ābhāya, hāyati ārohapariṇāhena.

In the same way, whoever has no faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Evameva kho, bhante, yassa kassaci saddhā natthi kusalesu dhammesu …pe… hirī natthi … ottappaṁ natthi … vīriyaṁ natthi … paññā natthi … kusalesu dhammesu tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

A faithless individual is in decline. An individual with no conscience is in decline. An imprudent individual is in decline. A lazy individual is in decline. A witless individual is in decline. An irritable individual is in decline. An acrimonious individual is in decline. When there are no mendicant advisers there is decline.

‘Assaddho purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘ahiriko purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘anottappī purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘kusīto purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘duppañño purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘kodhano purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘upanāhī purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ; ‘na santi bhikkhū ovādakā’ti, bhante, parihānametaṁ.

Sir, whoever has faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Yassa kassaci, bhante, saddhā atthi kusalesu dhammesu, hirī atthi kusalesu dhammesu, ottappaṁ atthi kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyaṁ atthi kusalesu dhammesu, paññā atthi kusalesu dhammesu, tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni.

It’s like the moon in the waxing fortnight. Whether by day or by night, its beauty, roundness, luminosity, and diameter and circumference only grow.

Seyyathāpi, bhante, juṇhapakkhe candassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, vaḍḍhateva vaṇṇena, vaḍḍhati maṇḍalena, vaḍḍhati ābhāya, vaḍḍhati ārohapariṇāhena.

In the same way, whoever has faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Evameva kho, bhante, yassa kassaci saddhā atthi kusalesu dhammesu … hirī atthi …pe… ottappaṁ atthi … vīriyaṁ atthi … paññā atthi kusalesu dhammesu tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni.

A faithful individual doesn’t decline. An individual with a conscience doesn’t decline. A prudent individual doesn’t decline. An energetic individual doesn’t decline. A wise individual doesn’t decline. A loving individual doesn’t decline. A kind individual doesn’t decline. When there are mendicant advisers there is no decline.”

‘Saddho purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘hirimā purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘ottappī purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘āraddhavīriyo purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘paññavā purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘akkodhano purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘anupanāhī purisapuggalo’ti, bhante, aparihānametaṁ; ‘santi bhikkhū ovādakā’ti, bhante, aparihānametan”ti.

“Good, good, Kassapa! Whoever has no faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect decline, not growth …

“Sādhu sādhu, kassapa. Yassa kassaci, kassapa, saddhā natthi kusalesu dhammesu …pe… hirī natthi … ottappaṁ natthi … vīriyaṁ natthi … paññā natthi kusalesu dhammesu tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

When there are no mendicant advisers there is decline.

Evameva kho, kassapa, yassa kassaci saddhā natthi kusalesu dhammesu …pe… hirī natthi … ottappaṁ natthi … vīriyaṁ natthi … paññā natthi kusalesu dhammesu tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi. ‘Assaddho purisapuggalo’ti, kassapa, parihānametaṁ; ahiriko …pe… anottappī … kusīto … duppañño … kodhano … ‘upanāhī purisapuggalo’ti, kassapa, parihānametaṁ; ‘na santi bhikkhū ovādakā’ti, kassapa, parihānametaṁ.

Whoever has faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom when it comes to skillful qualities can expect growth, not decline …

Yassa kassaci, kassapa, saddhā atthi kusalesu dhammesu …pe… hirī atthi … ottappaṁ atthi … vīriyaṁ atthi … paññā atthi kusalesu dhammesu tassa yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati, vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni.

When there are mendicant advisers there is no decline.”

‘Saddho purisapuggalo’ti, kassapa, aparihānametaṁ; hirimā …pe… ottappī … āraddhavīriyo … paññavā … akkodhano … ‘anupanāhī purisapuggalo’ti, kassapa, aparihānametaṁ; ‘santi bhikkhū ovādakā’ti, kassapa, aparihānametan”ti.

SN 16.8 · Advice (3rd)

SN 16.8 · Tatiyaovādasutta

Near Rājagaha, in the squirrels’ feeding ground. Then Venerable Mahākassapa went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

Rājagahe kalandakanivāpe. Atha kho āyasmā mahākassapo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Kassapa, advise the mendicants! Give them a Dhamma talk! Either you or I should advise the mendicants and give them a Dhamma talk.”

“ovada, kassapa, bhikkhū; karohi, kassapa, bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ. Ahaṁ vā, kassapa, bhikkhūnaṁ ovadeyyaṁ tvaṁ vā; ahaṁ vā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ kareyyaṁ tvaṁ vā”ti.

“Sir, the mendicants these days are hard to admonish, having qualities that make them hard to admonish. They’re impatient, and don’t take instruction respectfully.”

“Dubbacā kho, bhante, etarahi bhikkhū, dovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgatā, akkhamā, appadakkhiṇaggāhino anusāsanin”ti.

“Kassapa, that’s because formerly the senior mendicants lived in the wilderness, ate only almsfood, wore rag robes, and owned just three robes; and they praised these things. They were of few wishes, content, secluded, aloof, and energetic; and they praised these things.

“Tathā hi pana, kassapa, pubbe therā bhikkhū āraññikā ceva ahesuṁ āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādino, piṇḍapātikā ceva ahesuṁ piṇḍapātikattassa ca vaṇṇavādino, paṁsukūlikā ceva ahesuṁ paṁsukūlikattassa ca vaṇṇavādino, tecīvarikā ceva ahesuṁ tecīvarikattassa ca vaṇṇavādino, appicchā ceva ahesuṁ appicchatāya ca vaṇṇavādino, santuṭṭhā ceva ahesuṁ santuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādino, pavivittā ceva ahesuṁ pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādino, asaṁsaṭṭhā ceva ahesuṁ asaṁsaggassa ca vaṇṇavādino, āraddhavīriyā ceva ahesuṁ vīriyārambhassa ca vaṇṇavādino.

The senior mendicants invite such a mendicant to a seat, saying: ‘Welcome, mendicant! What is this mendicant’s name? This mendicant is good-natured; he’s really eager to train. Please, mendicant, here, take a seat.’

Tatra yo hoti bhikkhu āraññiko ceva āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, piṇḍapātiko ceva piṇḍapātikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, paṁsukūliko ceva paṁsukūlikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, tecīvariko ceva tecīvarikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, appiccho ceva appicchatāya ca vaṇṇavādī, santuṭṭho ceva santuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, pavivitto ceva pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī, asaṁsaṭṭho ceva asaṁsaggassa ca vaṇṇavādī, āraddhavīriyo ceva vīriyārambhassa ca vaṇṇavādī, taṁ therā bhikkhū āsanena nimantenti: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko nāmāyaṁ bhikkhu, bhaddako vatāyaṁ bhikkhu, sikkhākāmo vatāyaṁ bhikkhu; ehi, bhikkhu, idaṁ āsanaṁ nisīdāhī’ti.

Then the junior mendicants think: ‘It seems that when a mendicant lives in the wilderness … and is energetic, and praises these things, senior mendicants invite them to a seat …’ They practice accordingly. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness.

Tatra, kassapa, navānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ evaṁ hoti: ‘yo kira so hoti bhikkhu āraññiko ceva āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, piṇḍapātiko ceva …pe… paṁsukūliko ceva … tecīvariko ceva … appiccho ceva … santuṭṭho ceva … pavivitto ceva … asaṁsaṭṭho ceva … āraddhavīriyo ceva vīriyārambhassa ca vaṇṇavādī, taṁ therā bhikkhū āsanena nimantenti— ehi, bhikkhu, ko nāmāyaṁ bhikkhu, bhaddako vatāyaṁ bhikkhu, sikkhākāmo vatāyaṁ bhikkhu; ehi, bhikkhu, idaṁ āsanaṁ nisīdāhī’ti. Te tathattāya paṭipajjanti; tesaṁ taṁ hoti dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.

But these days, Kassapa, the senior mendicants don’t live in the wilderness … and aren’t energetic; and they don’t praise these things.

Etarahi pana, kassapa, therā bhikkhū na ceva āraññikā na ca āraññikattassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva piṇḍapātikā na ca piṇḍapātikattassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva paṁsukūlikā na ca paṁsukūlikattassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva tecīvarikā na ca tecīvarikattassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva appicchā na ca appicchatāya vaṇṇavādino, na ceva santuṭṭhā na ca santuṭṭhiyā vaṇṇavādino, na ceva pavivittā na ca pavivekassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva asaṁsaṭṭhā na ca asaṁsaggassa vaṇṇavādino, na ceva āraddhavīriyā na ca vīriyārambhassa vaṇṇavādino.

When a mendicant is well-known and famous, a recipient of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, senior mendicants invite them to a seat: ‘Welcome, mendicant! What is this mendicant’s name? This mendicant is good-natured; he’s fond of his fellow monks. Please, mendicant, here, take a seat.’

Tatra yo hoti bhikkhu ñāto yasassī lābhī cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ taṁ therā bhikkhū āsanena nimantenti: ‘ehi, bhikkhu, ko nāmāyaṁ bhikkhu, bhaddako vatāyaṁ bhikkhu, sabrahmacārikāmo vatāyaṁ bhikkhu; ehi, bhikkhu, idaṁ āsanaṁ nisīdāhī’ti.

Then the junior mendicants think: ‘It seems that when a mendicant is well-known and famous, a recipient of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, senior mendicants invite them to a seat …’ They practice accordingly. That is for their lasting harm and suffering. And if it could ever be rightly said that spiritual practitioners have been imperiled by the peril of a spiritual practitioner, and vanquished by the vanquishing of a spiritual practitioner, it is these days that this could be rightly said.”

Tatra, kassapa, navānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ evaṁ hoti: ‘yo kira so hoti bhikkhu ñāto yasassī lābhī cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ taṁ therā bhikkhū āsanena nimantenti— ehi, bhikkhu, ko nāmāyaṁ bhikkhu, bhaddako vatāyaṁ bhikkhu, sabrahmacārikāmo vatāyaṁ bhikkhu; ehi, bhikkhu, idaṁ āsanaṁ nisīdāhī’ti. Te tathattāya paṭipajjanti. Tesaṁ taṁ hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya. Yañhi taṁ, kassapa, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘upaddutā brahmacārī brahmacārūpaddavena abhipatthanā brahmacārī brahmacāriabhipatthanenā’ti, etarahi taṁ, kassapa, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘upaddutā brahmacārī brahmacārūpaddavena abhipatthanā brahmacārī brahmacāriabhipatthanenā’”ti.