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ud.3.7 Udana

The Discourse about Kassapa

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Rājagaha, in Bamboo Wood, at the Squirrels’ Feeding Place. Then at that time venerable Mahākassapa was dwelling in the Pepper Cave, and was sitting in one cross-legged posture for seven days, having attained a certain concentration.

Then venerable Mahākassapa, with the passing of those seven days arose from that concentration. Then it occured to venerable Mahākassapa after arising from that concentration: “Well now, I should enter Rājagaha for alms.”

Then at that time five hundred devatās were ready and eager to offer almsfood to venerable Mahākassapa. But venerable Mahākassapa, after refusing those five hundred devatās, having dressed in the morning time, after picking up his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms.

Then at that time the lord of the devas Sakka, having a desire to give almsfood to venerable Mahākassapa, having created the appearance of a weaver for himself, was weaving thread while the Asura maiden Sujā was filling the shuttle. Then venerable Mahākassapa, while walking systematically for alms in Rājagaha, went to the residence of the lord of the devas Sakka.

The lord of the devas Sakka saw venerable Mahākassapa coming while still far away. After seeing him, leaving the house, going to meet him, taking the bowl from his hand, entering the house, taking up the rice from the pot, and filling the bowl, he gave it to venerable Mahākassapa, and that almsfood had many sauces, many curries, many sauces and tasty curries.

Then this occured to venerable Mahākassapa: “Now who is this being, who has such power and majesty?”

Then it occured to venerable Mahākassapa: “This is the lord of the devas Sakka.”

Having understood it was so, he said this to the lord of the devas Sakka: “This is your doing, Kosiya, you must not do such a thing again.”

“We also have a need for merit, reverend Kassapa, we also have a duty to make merit.”

Then the lord of the devas Sakka after worshipping and circumambulating venerable Mahākassapa, after going up into the sky, while in the air, in the firmament, three times uttered an exalted utterance:

“Ah giving! The best gift is well established on Kassapa, Ah giving! The best gift is well established on Kassapa.”

The Gracious One heard with his divine ear-element, which is purified, and surpasses that of normal men, the lord of the devas Sakka, after going up into the sky, while in the air, in the firmament, three times uttering an exalted utterance:

“Ah giving! The best gift is well established on Kassapa, Ah giving! The best gift is well established on Kassapa.”

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“The devas envy the alms-gathering monk,
Self-supporting, not nourishing another,
Such a one, a peaceful one, one who is always mindful.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

Sakka’s Heartfelt Saying

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
Now at that time Venerable Mahākassapa was staying in the Pipphali cave. Having entered a certain state of immersion, he sat cross-legged for seven days without moving.
When seven days had passed, Mahākassapa emerged from that state of immersion.
It occurred to him,
“Why not enter Rājagaha for almsfood?”
Now at that time five hundred deities were ready and eager for the chance to offer alms to Mahākassapa.
But Mahākasspa refused those deities. In the morning, he robed up, took his bowl and robe, and entered Rājagaha for alms.
Now at that time Sakka, lord of Gods, wished to give alms to Mahākassapa.
Having manifested in the appearance of a weaver, he worked the loom while the demon maiden Sujā fed the shuttle.
Then, as Mahākassapa wandered indiscriminately for almsfood in Rājagaha, he approached Sakka’s house.
Seeing Mahākassapa coming off in the distance,
Sakka came out of his house, greeted him, and took the bowl from his hand. He re-entered the house and filled the bowl with rice from the pot.
That almsfood had many tasty soups and sauces.
Then it occurred to Mahākassapa,
“Now, what being is this who has such psychic power?”
It occurred to him,
“This is Sakka, lord of Gods.”
Knowing this, he said to Sakka,
“This is your doing, Kosiya;
don’t do such a thing again.”
“But sir, Kassapa, we too need merit!
We too ought make merit.”
Then Sakka bowed and respectfully circled Mahākassapa, keeping him on his right. Then he rose into the air and, sitting cross-legged in the sky, expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:
“Oh the gift, the best gift is well established in Kassapa!
Oh the gift, the best gift is well established in Kassapa!
Oh the gift, the best gift is well established in Kassapa!”
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard Sakka express this heartfelt sentiment while sitting in the sky.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“A mendicant who relies on alms,
self-supported, providing for no other;
the poised one is envied by even the gods,
calm and ever mindful.”