迦葉因緣
The Story of Kasyapa
長老摩訶迦葉涅槃因緣。爾時梯毘梨迦葉。修多羅毘尼阿毘曇一切皆誦。以願智令知三藏。受身證滅盡三昧。得總持四辯與五百阿羅漢結集法藏。佛所說法次第付囑與諸勝人。處處流布常視讀誦勿令遺失。於一切眾而為饒益。常自思惟。我年已大老死無常。作此思惟。依佛所說依力已受。善友受經法子已生。以現佛恩少報佛恩。誰能一切悉報佛恩。一切同學於法和合。多時持身以攝世間。多時擔身已大疲極。以臭身疲極。涅槃時至。復說偈曰。
The Elder Mahākāśyapa's Conditions for Entering Parinirvāṇa. At that time, the venerable Tiviṭaka Kāśyapa had thoroughly mastered the Sūtras, the Vinaya, and the Abhidharma—the entire Three Baskets of teachings. Through his power of wisdom, he could recall all the Buddha's teachings, attained the extinction of all mental formations in deep meditative absorption, and possessed complete eloquence and mastery of the four types of clear understanding. Together with five hundred arhats, he compiled and preserved the Dharma treasury. As the Buddha's teachings were passed down in due order to the worthy ones, they were spread far and wide, always recited and studied so that nothing would be lost, benefiting all beings everywhere.
He continually reflected: "My years are many, and old age, death, and impermanence draw near." With this in mind, relying on the Buddha's teachings and the strength he had received, he considered that his virtuous companions and spiritual descendants had already arisen. While this served to repay the Buddha's kindness in some small measure, who could possibly repay it completely? All his fellow practitioners were in harmony with the Dharma. He had long upheld his body to guide the world, long carried this burden until he was utterly exhausted. With this weary and impure body, the time for his final transcendence had arrived. He then spoke this verse:
已結修多羅 以修治道路
世尊之法語 處處廣宣說
The sutras have been compiled, To cultivate and mend the path. The Buddha's holy words, Are widely proclaimed everywhere.
復說偈言。
Then he spoke these verses:
無慚愧已除 已攝有慚愧
已作自饒益 我涅槃時至
Shamelessness removed, Now adorned with conscience. Having benefitted oneself, My time of nirvana has come.
是時摩訶迦葉往至阿難處。語長老阿難言。世尊付我法藏。付已而入涅槃。我今欲涅槃。以法藏付汝。汝當受持。爾時王舍城當有商主兒生。以舍那衣覆。是故名舍那婆私。舍那婆私入大海。後歸於世尊法。當修供養。汝當教化令其出家。汝當以佛法藏以傳與之。爾時摩訶迦葉以佛法藏付長老阿難。付法藏竟。作是思惟。是我世尊大慈悲。難作已作。教化周遍。無邊功德以造此身。世尊舍利處處供養。我應入涅槃。汝自當知是我可作無有別事。復說偈言。
At that time, Mahakashyapa went to where Ananda was and said to the elder Ananda, "The World-Honored One entrusted the Dharma treasury to me. Having entrusted it, he entered parinirvana. Now I wish to enter parinirvana as well, and I entrust the Dharma treasury to you. You should receive and uphold it." At that time, in the city of Rajagriha, a merchant's son would be born, covered with a cloth called shena, and so he would be named Shenapusa. Shenapusa would go to sea, and afterwards return to the World-Honored One's Dharma. He should cultivate offerings. You should teach and guide him to renounce the home life. You should pass on the Buddha's Dharma treasury to him." Then Mahakashyapa entrusted the Buddha's Dharma treasury to the elder Ananda. Having entrusted the Dharma treasury, he reflected thus: "This is my World-Honored One's great compassion. What was difficult to do has been done. Teaching and transformation have been pervasive, with boundless merit culminating in this body. The World-Honored One's relics are venerated in many places. I should now enter parinirvana. You should know for yourself that what I could do has been done, and there is nothing else." He then spoke these verses:
是我世尊 摩訶慈悲 世尊舍利 我已供養
菩提三昧 之所出生 難作已作 最後供養
I, the World-Honored One, with great compassion, the relics of the World-Honored One. I have already made offerings, born from the samadhi of enlightenment. What was difficult to do has been done; this is the final offering.
摩訶迦葉以神力往四支徵(音知荷反生處成道處轉法輪處涅槃處)。以第一恭敬禮拜供養。八舍利塔亦復如是。復入於龍宮以修供養。譬如師子王入於池湖。無有怖畏深大不動清淨無垢。於彼佛牙供養已竟。譬如龍王出於虛空。一瞬眼頃至忉利天宮。時帝釋及諸天歡喜供養。供養既竟。意欲從彼而入涅槃。是時帝釋見此事相。語迦葉言。念於淨行常住山中。以何意故。而來至此。此處孤獨無有歸依。是時梯毘梨摩訶迦葉語帝釋言。憍尸迦。我樂看佛牙及佛天冠摩尼寶珠鉢多羅等。是我最後。應為供養。復說偈言。
Mahakashyapa, using his supernatural powers, traveled to the four sacred sites—the birthplace, the place of enlightenment, the place of the first sermon, and the place of nirvana—and made offerings with the utmost reverence. He did the same for the eight stupas holding relics. Then he entered the dragon palace to pay homage. Just as a lion king enters a lake, fearless and unshaken, pure and without blemish, he offered reverence to the Buddha's tooth. After completing his offerings, like a dragon king rising into the sky, he arrived at the Heaven of the Thirty-Three Gods in the blink of an eye. There, Shakra and the gods joyfully made offerings to him. When the offerings were finished, he wished to enter nirvana from that place. Seeing this, Shakra said to Kashyapa: "Mindful of your pure conduct, you have long dwelt in the mountains. Why have you come here? This place is lonely, with no one to rely on." Then Pippali Mahakashyapa said to Shakra: "Kaushika, I wish to behold the Buddha's tooth, his crown, the wish-fulfilling jewel, and his alms bowl. This is my final act of offering." He then spoke this verse:
為說苦盡 是故我來 為看佛相 是故我來
I come to teach the end of suffering, Therefore I have come, To behold the Buddha's form. Therefore I have come.
帝釋及諸天。聞迦葉語一切懊惱。恭敬彼故。而以兩手。捧持佛牙以授迦葉。迦葉頂受目不暫瞬。以漫陀羅華(翻圓華)薄拘羅華(翻曲華)牛頭栴檀周流那(翻未香)以此供養。摩訶迦葉語帝釋及一千諸天。汝當修不放逸。是時迦葉於須彌山頂忽然不現還王舍城。爾時長老迦葉以佛法藏付囑阿難。是時阿難日日隨從迦葉後行。阿難語迦葉言。莫入涅槃。是時迦葉告阿難言。我今與汝各隨所入。爾時阿難早起著衣持鉢入城乞食。是阿難以三可愛和合。一者名可愛。二者聞可愛。三者色可愛。彼人見色不厭。聞說法不厭。迦葉亦早起著衣持鉢入城乞食。迦葉思惟。我本有約。入涅槃時當往見阿闍世王。是時迦葉入王宮內語看門人。我今住此。欲見大王。汝可入宮白王令知。門人答言。王今正眠。須王眠覺當為啟聞。迦葉語言。汝可覺王。門人答言。王不可覺。覺必大瞋。瞋必治我。長老迦葉語門人言。王若覺時。汝當白王。迦葉今來欲入涅槃。故須見王。是時迦葉入城乞食。乞食竟入鷄足山。破山三分。於山中鋪草布地。即自思惟。而語身言。如來昔以糞掃之衣覆蔽於汝。至於彌勒法藏應住。復說偈言。
Thus spoke Shakra, the Lord of Gods, and all the devas, who, hearing Mahākāśyapa’s words, were filled with remorse. Out of deep reverence for him, they raised the Buddha’s relic tooth with both hands and offered it to Kāśyapa. He received it upon his head, his gaze unwavering. Then he made offerings with māndārava flowers, pāṭalī flowers, and sandalwood incense from the cow’s-head mountain, along with fragrant powders.
Mahākāśyapa then addressed Shakra and the thousand devas, saying: “You should cultivate diligence and mindfulness.” In that instant, Kāśyapa vanished from the peak of Mount Sumeru and returned to Rājagṛha.
At that time, the Elder Kāśyapa entrusted the treasury of the Dharma to Ānanda. From then on, Ānanda followed Kāśyapa daily, walking behind him. Ānanda said to Kāśyapa: “Do not enter final nirvāṇa yet.” Kāśyapa replied: “Now, let each of us follow our own path.”
Then, early in the morning, Ānanda put on his robes, took his bowl, and entered the city to beg for alms. He possessed three pleasing qualities combined: a pleasing name, pleasing words, and pleasing appearance. People who saw his form never grew weary, and those who heard his teachings never grew tired.
Kāśyapa likewise rose early, put on his robes, took his bowl, and entered the city to beg for alms. He reflected: “I made a promise to visit King Ajātaśatru before entering nirvāṇa.” So he went to the palace gate and told the guard: “I am here now, wishing to see the king. Please inform him of my presence.” The guard replied: “The king is presently asleep. When he awakens, I will let him know.” Kāśyapa said: “Then wake him.” The guard answered: “The king cannot be woken. If I disturb his sleep, he will be greatly angered and surely punish me.”
The Elder Kāśyapa then told the guard: “When the king awakens, tell him that Kāśyapa has come and wishes to see him before entering nirvāṇa.”
Kāśyapa then went into the city to beg for alms. After receiving his offerings, he entered Kukkuṭapāda Mountain. He split the mountain three ways, spread grass on the ground inside, and then reflected within himself, addressing his body: “The Thus-Gone One once covered you with his discarded robes. Now you must remain here until the treasury of Dharma is entrusted to Maitreya.” Then he spoke this verse:
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*(Here the sutra text provides the verse, continuing in the original source.)*
我以神通力 當持於此身
以糞掃衣覆 至彌勒佛出
以此故彌勒 教化諸弟子
With my transcendent power, I will preserve this very body, Covered in a cast-off robe, Until Maitreya Buddha appears. For this reason, Maitreya Will teach and guide his disciples.
爾時迦葉起三三昧。一者如入涅槃竟。被糞掃衣。以三山覆身。如子入母腹而不失壞。乃至彌勒法藏應住。二者若阿闍世王來山應開。迦葉思惟。若阿闍世王不見我身當吐熱血死。三者若阿難來山當開。是時從三昧起捨命入涅槃。入涅槃竟。地六種震動。帝釋等無數天人以天諸花供養迦葉身。三山還合以覆其身。帝釋及諸天遠離故生懊惱。即說偈言。
Then Kasyapa entered into three meditative states. First, as if entering final Nirvana, wrapped in his cast-off rag robe, with three mountains covering his body, like a child returning to the mother's womb, his body remained intact, to be preserved until the Dharma treasure of Maitreya should dwell here. Second, if King Ajatashatru came, the mountains should open. Kasyapa considered: "If King Ajatashatru does not see my body, he will vomit hot blood and die." Third, if Ananda came, the mountains should open. At that time, he arose from meditation and gave up his life to enter Nirvana. When he had entered Nirvana, the earth shook in six ways. Shakra and countless celestial beings offered all kinds of heavenly flowers to Kasyapa's body. The three mountains then closed back over him to cover his body. Shakra and the celestials, feeling remorse at their distance, spoke these verses.
我等今日 遠離迦葉 心生懊惱 不能自勝
畢鉢窟天 眾難法生 摩伽他人 生貧孤獨
一切世間 無有歸依 今此迦葉 第二佛滅
正法山墮 正法船動 正法樹落 正法海涌
魔王歡喜 攝受法亂
Today we are far from Kāśyapa, and sorrow fills our hearts— We cannot contain ourselves. In the Pipphala Cave, all kinds of hardship have arisen. The people of Magadha are born into poverty and loneliness— The whole world has no one left to turn to. Now this Kāśyapa, the second Buddha, has passed away. The mountain of true Dharma has crumbled, the ship of true Dharma is adrift, The tree of true Dharma has fallen, the ocean of true Dharma surges. Mara rejoices, seizing the confusion of the teachings.
作如是語已忽然不現。時阿難入王舍城未出。迦葉入涅槃。長老阿難王舍城乞食竟。思惟無常乃至。阿闍世王眠中夢見其母姓滅。驚此夢故怖畏起覺。門人白王。迦葉向來欲見王當入涅槃。王聞其言。悶亂墮地。傍人以水起王。王得少醒往竹林中。禮阿難足。禮已復起懊惱啼哭說言。我今聞長老摩訶迦葉入涅槃。阿難答言。大精進已入涅槃。爾時阿闍世王語阿難言。看迦葉身我欲供養。阿難將王至鷄足山上。是時阿難見諸羅剎護迦葉身。阿闍世王亦如是見又見天花覆迦葉身。見已舉手拍頭以一切身接足作禮。如象觸樹倒。禮已便欲覓薪以闍維之。是時阿難語言。大王。今何所作。王答言。我欲燒迦葉身。阿難答言。莫燒莫燒。此身神力所持。乃至正覺彌勒佛九十六千萬弟子圍繞來至此處。取迦葉身現諸弟子。時彌勒說言。此迦葉是釋迦牟尼弟子。少欲知足最為第一。又結集釋迦牟尼法藏。復說偈曰。
After saying these words, he suddenly vanished. At that time, Ananda had not yet left the city of Rajagriha. Kashyapa entered parinirvana. The elder Ananda, after completing his alms round in Rajagriha, reflected on impermanence and other truths. Meanwhile, King Ajatashatru saw in a dream that his mother's lineage had come to an end. Startled by this dream, he awoke in fear and trembling. His attendants told the king, "Kashyapa came earlier, wishing to see you, for he is about to enter parinirvana." Upon hearing this, the king was so distraught that he fell to the ground unconscious. Attendants splashed water on him to revive him. Once the king regained some composure, he went to the bamboo grove. There he bowed at Ananda's feet. After bowing, he rose again, overcome with grief, and wept, saying, "I have just heard that the elder Mahakashyapa has entered parinirvana." Ananda replied, "He who was greatly diligent has indeed entered parinirvana." At that moment, King Ajatashatru said to Ananda, "Let me see Kashyapa's body, for I wish to pay my respects." Ananda led the king to Kukkutapada Mountain. There, Ananda saw yakshas guarding Kashyapa's body. King Ajatashatru also saw them, and further saw celestial flowers covering Kashyapa's body. Upon seeing this, he raised his hands to strike his head and prostrated himself, touching the ground with his entire body in homage, like an elephant crashing into a tree and falling. After paying homage, he sought firewood to cremate the body. At that moment, Ananda said to the king, "Great King, what are you doing?" The king replied, "I wish to cremate Kashyapa's body." Ananda answered, "Do not burn it, do not burn it. This body is sustained by spiritual power. Until the fully enlightened Maitreya Buddha arrives here, surrounded by nine hundred sixty million disciples, and shows Kashyapa's body to his followers. At that time, Maitreya will say, 'This Kashyapa was a disciple of Shakyamuni, foremost in few desires and contentment.' He also compiled the Dharma treasury of Shakyamuni." And he spoke a verse:
此仙比丘姓迦葉 釋迦牟尼大弟子
最勝善見益世間 是其受持彼法藏
This monk, of the Kāśyapa clan, Was the great disciple of Śākyamuni. Supreme in insight, he benefited the world— He was the one who upheld the treasury of the Dharma.
是時彌勒弟子生念。彼時人身小。釋迦牟尼身。為如是。為當大。是時彌勒佛見其弟子而語言。摩訶迦葉身糞掃僧伽梨。是釋迦牟尼世尊僧伽梨衣。彼弟子聞已憂愁。故九十六千萬弟子當得證阿羅漢果。復得受持戒行功德。復次於山頂應起塔。阿闍世王還其城內。是時三山還合更覆其身。阿闍世王即於山上更復起塔。以種種香花供養。
At that time, Maitreya's disciples thought: "In that age, people were smaller. Is Shakyamuni's body like this, or was it larger?" Then Maitreya Buddha, seeing his disciples' thoughts, said to them: "This robe, the patched monastic robe worn by Mahakashyapa, is the very sanghati robe of the World-Honored One, Shakyamuni." Hearing this, the disciples felt sorrowful. Ninety-six thousand disciples then attained the fruit of arhatship and also upheld the practice of moral discipline and accumulated merit. Furthermore, a stupa should be built on the mountain peak. King Ajatashatru returned to his city. At that time, the three mountains came together again, covering his body once more. King Ajatashatru then built another stupa on the mountain and made offerings with various kinds of incense and flowers.