Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
16. Kassapa Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
16. Kindred Sayings on Kassapa
Sutta 1
Saṇtuṭṭha Suttaṃ
Contented
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain
The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
And there the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren!"
"Master!" responded those brethren.
The Exalted One said:
"Contented, brethren, is this Kassapa[1]
with no matter what robe.
He commends contentment
with no matter what robe,
nor because of a robe
doth he commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If he have gotten no robe,
he is not perturbed;
if he have gotten a robe,
he enjoys it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,[2]
wise as to escape.[3]
■
Contented, brethren, is this Kassapa
with no matter what alms.
He commends contentment
with no matter what alms,
nor because of alms
doth he commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If he have gotten no alms,
he is not perturbed;
if he have gotten alms,
he enjoys it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
■
"Contented, brethren, is this Kassapa
with no matter what lodging.
He commends contentment
with no matter what lodging,
nor because of lodging
doth he commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If he have gotten no lodging,
he is not perturbed;
if he have gotten lodging,
he enjoys it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
■
"Contented, brethren, is this Kassapa
with no matter what equipment in medicines.
He commends contentment
with no matter what equipment in medicines,
nor because of equipment in medicines
doth he commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If he have gotten no equipment in medicines,
he is not perturbed;
if he have gotten equipment in medicines,
he enjoys it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
§
Wherefore, brethren, thus should ye train yourselves:
'We will be contented with no matter what robe.
We will commend contentment
with no matter what robe,
nor because of robes
will we commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If we have gotten no robe,
we will not be perturbed;
if we have gotten a robe,
we will enjoy it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
■
We will be contented with no matter what alms.
We will commend contentment
with no matter what alms,
nor because of alms
will we commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If we have gotten no alms,
we will not be perturbed;
if we have gotten alms,
we will enjoy it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
■
We will be contented with no matter what lodging.
We will commend contentment
with no matter what lodging,
nor because of lodging
will we commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If we have gotten no lodging,
we will not be perturbed;
if we have gotten lodging,
we will enjoy it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.
■
We will be contented with no matter what medical equipment.
We will commend contentment
with no matter what medical equipment,
nor because of medical equipment
will we commit anything that is unseemly or unfit.
If we have gotten no medical equipment,
we will not be perturbed;
if we have gotten medical equipment,
we will enjoy it without clinging or infatuation,
committing no fault,
discerning danger,
wise as to escape.'
Thus should ye train yourselves.
Verily by Kassapa, brethren,
will I exhort you,
or by one like Kassapa.
By them exhorted
ye are to practise
that ye may so attain."
[1] This is Great Kassapa, one of the chief disciples, praised for self-denial by the Master, A. i, 23, and whose verses in the Anthology (Pss. of the Brethren, p. 361 f.) reflect the sentiments of these Suttas. He became leader of the Order (Dialogues ii, 183 f.; Vinaya Texts iii, 370 f.).
[2] Translated 'misery' above (ādīnava, p. 14 f.). Seeing the misery that would result from impropriety or greed. Comy.
[3] Knowing 'escape' spoken of above, he enjoys it as sufficing against cold. Comy.
