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- Samyutta Nikaya XVI.5
- Jinna Sutta
- Old
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Rajagaha
in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Sanctuary. Then Ven. Maha Kassapa
went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he
was sitting there the Blessed One said to him, "You are now old, Kassapa. Your robes
made of cast-off hemp rags are heavy for you. So wear robes donated by householders, eat
invitational meals, and live close by me."
"Lord, for a long time I have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in
the wilderness. I have been an almsgoer and have extolled being an almsgoer. I have worn
cast off rags and have extolled wearing cast off rags. I have worn only one set of the
triple robe and have extolled wearing only one set of the triple robe. I have been modest
and have extolled being modest. I have been content and have extolled being content. I
have been reclusive and have extolled being reclusive. I have been unentangled and have
extolled being unentangled. I have kept my persistence aroused and have extolled having
persistence aroused."
"But, Kassapa, what compelling reason do you see that you for a long time have
lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness...that you have kept
your persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused?"
"Lord, I see two compelling reasons that for a long time I have lived in the
wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness...that I have kept my persistence
aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused: seeing a pleasant abiding for myself
in the here & now, and feeling sympathy for later generations: 'Perhaps later
generations will take it as an example: "It seems that the disciples of the Awakened
One and those who awakened after him lived for a long time in the wilderness and extolled
living in the wilderness; were almsgoers and extolled being almsgoers; wore cast off rags
and extolled wearing cast off rags; wore only one set of the triple robe and extolled
wearing only one set of the triple robe; were modest and extolled being modest; were
content and extolled being content; were reclusive and extolled being reclusive; were
unentangled and extolled being unentangled; kept their persistence aroused and extolled
having persistence aroused."'"
"Good, Kassapa. Very good. It seems that you are one who practices for the
happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare, benefit, &
happiness of beings human & divine. So continue wearing your robes of cast off hemp
cloth, go for alms, and live in the wilderness."