snp.5.11 Suttanipata

The Questions of Kappa

“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”
said Venerable Kappa,
“stuck mid-stream
as the terrifying flood arises,
tell me an island, good sir.
Explain to me an island
so that this may not occur again.”
“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”
replied the Buddha,
“stuck mid-stream
as the terrifying flood arises,
I shall tell you an island, Kappa.
Having nothing, taking nothing:
this is the isle of no return.
I call it extinguishment,
the ending of old age and death.
Those who have fully understood this, mindful,
are extinguished in this very life.
They don’t fall under Māra’s sway,
nor are they his lackeys.”