Difference between revisions of "Mahakashyapa"
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[[File:Maha-Kasyapa.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Maha-Kasyapa.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''[[Mahākāśyapa]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[Mahākassapa]]; Wyl. [['od srung chen po]]; {{Wiki|Japanese}}: [[摩訶迦葉]] [[Maha Kasho]] or [[Makakasho]]) or [[Kāśyapa]] was from [[Magadha]], who became one of the principal [[disciples]] of [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] and who convened and directed the [[first council]]. | + | '''[[Mahākāśyapa]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[Mahākassapa]]; [[Wyl.]] [['od srung chen po]]; {{Wiki|Japanese}}: [[摩訶迦葉]] [[Maha Kasho]] or [[Makakasho]]) or [[Kāśyapa]] was from [[Magadha]], who became one of the [[principal]] [[disciples]] of [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] and who convened and directed the [[first council]]. |
==In [[early Buddhism]]== | ==In [[early Buddhism]]== | ||
| − | [[Mahākāśyapa]] is one of the most revered of the [[Buddha's]] early [[disciples]], foremost in [[ascetic]] practices. He is often depicted in statuary together with [[Ananda]], each standing to one side of the [[Buddha]]. | + | [[Mahākāśyapa]] is one of the most revered of the [[Buddha's]] early [[disciples]], foremost in [[ascetic]] practices. He is often depicted in statuary together with [[Ananda]], each [[standing]] to one side of the [[Buddha]]. |
==In the [[Lotus Sutra]]== | ==In the [[Lotus Sutra]]== | ||
| − | In [[Lotus Sutra]] Chapter 6 (Bestowal of Prophecy), the [[Buddha]] bestows prophecies of [[enlightenment]] on the [[disciples]] [[Mahakashyapa]], [[Subhuti]], [[Maha Katyayana]], and [[Mahamaudgalyayana]]. | + | In [[Lotus Sutra]] Chapter 6 ([[Bestowal of Prophecy]]), the [[Buddha]] bestows {{Wiki|prophecies}} of [[enlightenment]] on the [[disciples]] [[Mahakashyapa]], [[Subhuti]], [[Maha Katyayana]], and [[Mahamaudgalyayana]]. |
==In [[Zen]] [[Buddhism]]== | ==In [[Zen]] [[Buddhism]]== | ||
| − | According to [[Zen]], [[Mahākāśyapa]] was the first to receive [[Dharma]] [[transmission]] from [[Gautama Buddha]]. [[Zen]] purports to lead its adherents to insights akin to that mentioned by [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] in his [[Flower]] Sermon in which he held up a white [[flower]] and just admired it in his hand. All other [[disciples]] just looked on without [[knowing]] how to react, but [[Mahākāśyapa]] smiled faintly, and [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] picked him as one who truly understood him and the [[worthy]] one to be his successor. (This can be explained thus: Mahākāśyapa's [[spiritual]] [[attainment]] had reached the point where he can understood the hidden meanings conveyed by the [[Buddha's]] act, like two [[people]] who have undergone the same [[experiences]] understand each other completely.) | + | According to [[Zen]], [[Mahākāśyapa]] was the first to receive [[Dharma]] [[transmission]] from [[Gautama Buddha]]. [[Zen]] purports to lead its {{Wiki|adherents}} to [[insights]] akin to that mentioned by [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] in his [[Flower]] {{Wiki|Sermon}} in which he held up a white [[flower]] and just admired it in his hand. All other [[disciples]] just looked on without [[knowing]] how to react, but [[Mahākāśyapa]] smiled faintly, and [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] picked him as one who truly understood him and the [[worthy]] one to be his successor. (This can be explained thus: Mahākāśyapa's [[spiritual]] [[attainment]] had reached the point where he can understood the hidden meanings conveyed by the [[Buddha's]] act, like two [[people]] who have undergone the same [[experiences]] understand each other completely.) |
The words of the [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] addressed to [[Mahākāśyapa]] are described below: | The words of the [[Śākyamuni Buddha]] addressed to [[Mahākāśyapa]] are described below: | ||
| − | : I possess the true [[Dharma eye]], the marvelous [[mind]] of [[Nirvana]], the true [[form]] of the [[formless]], the subtle [[dharma]] gate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special [[transmission]] outside of the [[scriptures]]. This I entrust to [[Mahākāśyapa]]. | + | : I possess the true [[Dharma eye]], the marvelous [[mind]] of [[Nirvana]], the true [[form]] of the [[formless]], the {{Wiki|subtle}} [[dharma]] gate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special [[transmission]] outside of the [[scriptures]]. This I entrust to [[Mahākāśyapa]]. |
[[Thus]], a way within [[Buddhism]] developed which [[concentrated]] on direct [[experience]] rather than on [[rational]] creeds or revealed [[scriptures]]. [[Zen]] is a method of [[meditative]] [[religion]] which seeks to [[enlighten]] [[people]] in the [[manner]] that the [[Mahākāśyapa]] [[experienced]]. | [[Thus]], a way within [[Buddhism]] developed which [[concentrated]] on direct [[experience]] rather than on [[rational]] creeds or revealed [[scriptures]]. [[Zen]] is a method of [[meditative]] [[religion]] which seeks to [[enlighten]] [[people]] in the [[manner]] that the [[Mahākāśyapa]] [[experienced]]. | ||
| − | In the [[Song of Enlightenment]] ([[證道歌]] [[Zhèngdào gē]]) of [[Yongjia Xuanjue]] (665-713) —one of the chief disciples of [[Huìnéng]], the [[6th patriarch of Chan]] Buddhism—it is written that [[Bodhidharma]] was the [[28th patriarch]] in a line of descent from [[Mahākāśyapa]], a [[disciple]] of [[Śākyamuni Buddha]], and the [[first patriarch of Chan]] [[Buddhism]]: | + | In the [[Song of Enlightenment]] ([[證道歌]] [[Zhèngdào gē]]) of [[Yongjia Xuanjue]] (665-713) —one of the chief [[disciples]] of [[Huìnéng]], the [[6th patriarch of Chan]] Buddhism—it is written that [[Bodhidharma]] was the [[28th patriarch]] in a line of descent from [[Mahākāśyapa]], a [[disciple]] of [[Śākyamuni Buddha]], and the [[first patriarch of Chan]] [[Buddhism]]: |
: [[Mahākāśyapa]] was the first, leading the line of [[transmission]]; | : [[Mahākāśyapa]] was the first, leading the line of [[transmission]]; | ||
| − | : Twenty-eight Fathers followed him in the West; | + | : Twenty-eight Fathers followed him in the [[West]]; |
: The [[Lamp]] was then brought over the sea to this country; | : The [[Lamp]] was then brought over the sea to this country; | ||
: And [[Bodhidharma]] became the First Father here: | : And [[Bodhidharma]] became the First Father here: | ||
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: And by them many [[minds]] came to see the [[Light]]. | : And by them many [[minds]] came to see the [[Light]]. | ||
| − | ==In {{Wiki|Chinese}} culture== | + | ==In {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|culture}}== |
| − | According to {{Wiki|Chinese}} legend, the [[monk]] Ji Gong is a [[reincarnation]] of [[Mahākāśyapa]] (known as the [[Taming Dragon arhat]]). | + | According to {{Wiki|Chinese}} legend, the [[monk]] [[Ji Gong]] is a [[reincarnation]] of [[Mahākāśyapa]] (known as the [[Taming Dragon arhat]]). |
| − | ==In Pali== | + | ==In [[Pali]]== |
| − | Mahakasyapa's entire body was enshrined underneath the mountain Kukkutapada where it is said to remain until the appearance of Maitreya. Pali sources say that beings in Maitreya's time will be much bigger than during the time of Sakyamuni. In one prophecy his disciples are contemptuous of Mahakasyapa, whose head is no larger than an insect to them. Buddhas robe is barely covers two fingers making them wonder how tiny Buddha was. Mahakasyapa, is said to be small enough in comparison to cremate in the palm of Maitreya's hand. Mahakasyapa wears the pamsukula robe. | + | Mahakasyapa's entire [[body]] was enshrined underneath the mountain Kukkutapada where it is said to remain until the [[appearance]] of [[Maitreya]]. [[Pali]] sources say that [[beings]] in [[Maitreya's]] [[time]] will be much bigger than during the [[time]] of [[Sakyamuni]]. In one {{Wiki|prophecy}} his [[disciples]] are contemptuous of [[Mahakasyapa]], whose head is no larger than an insect to them. [[Buddhas]] robe is barely covers two fingers making them wonder how tiny [[Buddha]] was. [[Mahakasyapa]], is said to be small enough in comparison to cremate in the palm of [[Maitreya's]] hand. [[Mahakasyapa]] wears the pamsukula robe. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Mahakashyapa]] | [[Category:Mahakashyapa]] | ||
Revision as of 11:58, 24 March 2014
Mahākāśyapa (Sanskrit; Pali: Mahākassapa; Wyl. 'od srung chen po; Japanese: 摩訶迦葉 Maha Kasho or Makakasho) or Kāśyapa was from Magadha, who became one of the principal disciples of Śākyamuni Buddha and who convened and directed the first council.
In early Buddhism
Mahākāśyapa is one of the most revered of the Buddha's early disciples, foremost in ascetic practices. He is often depicted in statuary together with Ananda, each standing to one side of the Buddha.
In the Lotus Sutra
In Lotus Sutra Chapter 6 (Bestowal of Prophecy), the Buddha bestows prophecies of enlightenment on the disciples Mahakashyapa, Subhuti, Maha Katyayana, and Mahamaudgalyayana.
In Zen Buddhism
According to Zen, Mahākāśyapa was the first to receive Dharma transmission from Gautama Buddha. Zen purports to lead its adherents to insights akin to that mentioned by Śākyamuni Buddha in his Flower Sermon in which he held up a white flower and just admired it in his hand. All other disciples just looked on without knowing how to react, but Mahākāśyapa smiled faintly, and Śākyamuni Buddha picked him as one who truly understood him and the worthy one to be his successor. (This can be explained thus: Mahākāśyapa's spiritual attainment had reached the point where he can understood the hidden meanings conveyed by the Buddha's act, like two people who have undergone the same experiences understand each other completely.)
The words of the Śākyamuni Buddha addressed to Mahākāśyapa are described below:
- I possess the true Dharma eye, the marvelous mind of Nirvana, the true form of the formless, the subtle dharma gate that does not rest on words or letters but is a special transmission outside of the scriptures. This I entrust to Mahākāśyapa.
Thus, a way within Buddhism developed which concentrated on direct experience rather than on rational creeds or revealed scriptures. Zen is a method of meditative religion which seeks to enlighten people in the manner that the Mahākāśyapa experienced.
In the Song of Enlightenment (證道歌 Zhèngdào gē) of Yongjia Xuanjue (665-713) —one of the chief disciples of Huìnéng, the 6th patriarch of Chan Buddhism—it is written that Bodhidharma was the 28th patriarch in a line of descent from Mahākāśyapa, a disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha, and the first patriarch of Chan Buddhism:
- Mahākāśyapa was the first, leading the line of transmission;
- Twenty-eight Fathers followed him in the West;
- The Lamp was then brought over the sea to this country;
- And Bodhidharma became the First Father here:
- His mantle, as we all know, passed over six Fathers,
- And by them many minds came to see the Light.
In Chinese culture
According to Chinese legend, the monk Ji Gong is a reincarnation of Mahākāśyapa (known as the Taming Dragon arhat).
In Pali
Mahakasyapa's entire body was enshrined underneath the mountain Kukkutapada where it is said to remain until the appearance of Maitreya. Pali sources say that beings in Maitreya's time will be much bigger than during the time of Sakyamuni. In one prophecy his disciples are contemptuous of Mahakasyapa, whose head is no larger than an insect to them. Buddhas robe is barely covers two fingers making them wonder how tiny Buddha was. Mahakasyapa, is said to be small enough in comparison to cremate in the palm of Maitreya's hand. Mahakasyapa wears the pamsukula robe.
