The Sorrowless View The World
The Story of Monk Mahakassapa
Chapter 2: Heedfulness • Verse 8
The Story of Monk Mahakassapa
Chapter 2: Heedfulness • Verse 8
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain beholds the groundlings, even so when the wise man casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and ascends the high tower of wisdom, this sorrowless sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish multitude.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Monk Mahakassapa.
On a certain day, while staying at the Pipphali Cave, the Buddha made his round of Rajagaha for alms, and after eating his breakfast, he sat down and, using psychic powers, surveyed with supernormal vision all living beings, heedless and heedful alike, in the water, on the earth, in the mountains, and elsewhere, coming into and passing out of existence.
Seated at Jetavana, the Buddha wondered what his disciple Kassapa was occupied with that day, and perceived that Kassapa was contemplating the rising and falling of living beings.
The Buddha then reflected that such knowledge, in its totality, is beyond even Kassapa's range and belongs to the Buddhas alone, since living beings pass from one existence to another and take conception in a mother's womb without the knowledge of either parent. So saying, he sent forth a radiant image of himself, seated as if face to face with Kassapa.
The Story of Monk Mahakassapa
Chapter 2: Heedfulness • Verse 8
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain beholds the groundlings, even so when the wise man casts away heedlessness by heedfulness and ascends the high tower of wisdom, this sorrowless sage beholds the sorrowing and foolish multitude.
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Monk Mahakassapa.
On a certain day, while staying at the Pipphali Cave, the Buddha made his round of Rajagaha for alms, and after eating his breakfast, he sat down and, using psychic powers, surveyed with supernormal vision all living beings, heedless and heedful alike, in the water, on the earth, in the mountains, and elsewhere, coming into and passing out of existence.
Seated at Jetavana, the Buddha wondered what his disciple Kassapa was occupied with that day, and perceived that Kassapa was contemplating the rising and falling of living beings.
The Buddha then reflected that such knowledge, in its totality, is beyond even Kassapa's range and belongs to the Buddhas alone, since living beings pass from one existence to another and take conception in a mother's womb without the knowledge of either parent. So saying, he sent forth a radiant image of himself, seated as if face to face with Kassapa.