Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Three Venerable Kasyapas (三迦葉尊者)
Date: May. 13, 2013
In a tranquil and clear state, our bodies and minds should be pure. To cultivate and learn the Buddha-Dharma, we must calm our minds. So in the Buddha’s lifetime, His lead disciples all received and upheld [teachings] and each had their own strengths and merits. Thus, we keep introducing the characteristics and talents of each practitioner in the Buddha’s Sangha. Previously, I introduced Venerable Mahakasyapa; next are the Three Venerable Kasyapas. They are three brothers whom we should know of and understand.
The Three Kasyapas are brothers by birth. Over many lifetimes, they shared the same aspirations and vows. Each led an assembly and taught the Dharma, respectfully practicing the Noble Path.
“Kasyapa” is their family name. So, the eldest brother was called Uruvilva Kasyapa. “Uruvilva” can be translated as papaya. This was because on the venerable one’s chest was a mark shaped like a papaya. He was named based on his appearance – a papaya. According to some other legends, he lived near a papaya orchard. The second [brother’s] name was Gaya Kasyapa. The place of his spiritual practice was close to Mt. [Gaya], so “Gaya” was part of his name. Lastly, Nadi Kasyapa lived close to [Nadi] River, so he took the river’s name. These three brothers also shared causes and conditions from past lives. Back in the age of Vipasyin Buddha, there were three good friends. Together, they were devout and resolved to do good. They built a monastery and offered the land to Vipasyin Buddha. They even erected carved pillars that promoted Buddha-virtue. This was also considered an offering to the Buddha. They shared the same vow to make devout offerings. Because of these causes and conditions, they became brothers life after life. They were also very close. In every rebirth, they sought out the path to enlightenment. These were their causes and conditions. In the age of Sakyamuni Buddha, the three brothers practiced an ascetic path or fire. In particular, the eldest brother reached a high level of spiritual attainment. Even though he practiced and ascetic path of fire, in that age, everyone was very respectful of those who practiced Brahmanism. Because he was deeply respected by King Bimbisara, Uruvilva Kasyapa was regarded as the imperial teacher. Though he was regarded as the imperial teacher, he still practiced with diligence.
So in a mountain forest, he cultivated a fire dragon.He raised a creature that spit fire like a dragon.
So, he built fires and in essence, practiced an ascetic path of fire.Because he was the king’s teacher, many people came to follow him to learn the ascetic path of fire.He had 500 disciples.
Then there were his two brothers.Each also practiced the same ascetic path as their oldest brother.Living in different places, each had their own followers.Each person had 250 disciples.
All in all, the three brothers had 1000 disciples.So in that society, at that time, the three brothers were known and recognized.For all who practiced Brahmanism, they were highly esteemed and respected.
At that time, the Buddha knew that these three Kasyapas had great aspirations.In particular, they had been making offerings to the Buddha over many lifetimes and had been close brothers who practiced together, life after life.These causes and conditions were exceptional.Also, the three had already attained the root of goodness, so He knew they were ready.Thus at that time, He wanted to transform the three brothers.
Sakyamuni Buddha first went to where Uruvilva Kasyapa practiced.As the Buddha approached, Uruvilva Kasyapa saw.His dignified physical appearance.Simply upon seeing Him, [Uruvilva Kasyapa’s] heart was captivated by the Buddha’s dignified form.But he was also the king’s teacher, so he was not that easily moved by the Buddha.Though he greatly admired and respected Him, he nonetheless had a debate with Him.In this debate, the Buddha refuted the principles of an ascetic path of fire, shattering them one by one.[Uruvilva Kasyapa realized that] besides this ascetic path of fire and cultivation of the body and mind, countless things in the world can all be summarized into one principle.So, we also have to understand the truth of all things.
After realizing this, he knew what Sakyamuni Buddha knew: that this type of ascetic practice, practicing with fire to cultivate his body and mind, would not lead to liberation.Not at all.Many truths remained in the world.To be truly liberated, the heart must be at ease and without afflictions.There were still many things for him to learn.
So, his mind was tamed by the Buddha’s wisdom.For this reason, because immediately feeling respect upon seeing the Buddha, when he heard the Buddha’s teachings and His voice, he felt strongly drawn toward Him.In particular, the principles expounded by the Buddha suddenly led him to great realizations.This was how Uruvilva Kasyapa was captivated by the Buddha’s physical appearance, voice, and wondrous Dharma.Thus he was awakened.So with Right Mindfulness in his thinking, he began to take refuge with the Buddha.Simultaneously, his 500 disciples also took refuge with the Buddha.
Uruvilva Kasyapa saw the dignity of the Buddha, heard the wondrous sound of the Buddha-Dharma and suddenly became enlightened.With Right mindtulness in his thinking，he led 500 disciples to take refuge with the Buddha.
After taking refuge with the Buddha，they gave up the ascetic path of fire.We can imagine what it
was like for 500 disciples to practice the path of fire and what their practice center was like.Because he was the imperial teacher and he had 500 disciples，every time they engaged in
practice，it must have been a spectacular scene.We can certainly imagine what that was like.
Unexpectedly，he was transformed by the Buddha‘s dignified appearance and His subtle and
wondrous principles.When his 500 disciples took refuge all at once，what a spectacular event
it must have been. Because they practice the path of fire，they used many tools.What were the
500 disciples now to do with those tools？They were no longer of any use.Now they simply only
needed three garments and one alms bowl.
To follow the Buddha and hear the Buddha-Dharma，to understand the true principles of the world，that was all they needed.So，they put their instruments for fire practice into the river.All these objects were placed into the river and floated along with the currents.Mainwhile，the brother who lived along the river saw all these instruments floating on the river.They clearly belonged to his eldest brother.Why were they suddenly floating downriver？As he saw this，he reshed to find out what had happened to his eldest brother.When [both brothers] arrived，they saw Uruvilva Kasyapa leading his 500 disciples to listen the Buddha expound the Dharma in silence and with
great dignity.Moreover，they had all become monastics and were dressed in monks robes.Their
dignified appearance greatly moved these two brothers and also subdued their hearts.Indeed，
the eldest brother had changed his method of practice to follow the Buddha，and not without
reason.Since their eldest brother had taken refuge with the Buddha，they were also willing to
return to their spiritual training center and lead each of their 250 disciples to stand before the Buddha to pay their respects.They also expressed their willingness to take refuge with Him.Thus
to the Buddha‘s monastry，the three Kasyapa brothers alone brought 1000 disciples.Therefore，
at least 1000 monks were gathered here.
This was how the three Kasyapa brothers led their disciples to follow a single teacher，Sakyamuni Buddha，and to live in the Sangha.Because there were so many，naturally Uruvilva Kasyapa became their representative.What about their clothing，food，shelter and transporation？Uruvilva Kasyapa cared for the fourfold assembly.Upon the arrival of each spiritual practitioner，Venerable
Urvilvakasyapa provided for his or her living，whether they needed medicine，clothing，food，etc.
Venerable Uruvilva Kasyapa proviced all that.So in the Agama Sutra，it is said，
“Uruvilva Kasyapa proteotd the fourfold assembly and offered them the Four Necessities， so they lacked nothing. In this, he was foremost.”
This meant Uruvilva Kasyapa brought stability to life in the Sangha. Because he was King Bimbisara’s teacher, he secured the four necessities for the Shangha.The Agama Sutra also started that
the Buddha praised Gaya Kasyapa because he “contemplated and understood all Dharma. He was free of attachments, and he was great at teaching and transforming. In this, he was foremost.”
The specially of Gaya Kasyapa was to contemplate and understand all Dharma. When he arrived at Uruvilla Kasyapa’s place and saw the Buddha expounding the Dharma, as soon as he heard it, he understood it very well. Just upon seeing this scene, he thoroughly understood Sakyamuni Buddha’s wisdom. So just by seeing, he could understand and was free of attachments. He did not ask, “As for my spiritual practice, do I need to give it up?” without any hesitation, he immediately let go of his past. He had not the least bit of attachment. He could also teach and transform others and motivate his disciples. So, foremost in “teaching and transforming” referred to Gaya Kasyapa.
Nadi Kasyapa, or “Bhiksu Nadi, was calm and tranquil in mind and thought, and tamed all bonds. He was foremost in diligence.”
When something is right, follow it and there will be no mistakes. Because he was wholeheartedly diligent, he was said to have tamed all bounds and was foremost in diligence.” Before, when we spoke about the assembly of Arhats and bhiksus, didn’t we keep saying that they “eliminated all Leaks and had no further afflictions, and attained benefits for themselves?” they had already unraveled these bonds, their mental entanglements and all afflictions, so their hearts were at ease.
This type of wisdom is not easy [to attain]. Not only did they have to free their minds of all attachments, they also had to have a tranquil mind at all times. They had to tame the mind so it was still. This was how they diligently followed the course outlined by true principles. See, this is all very simple. The three Kasyapas were pure and simple and had been so, from the time of Vipasyin Buddha, which was a very long time ago, all the way until the age of Sakyamuni Buddha. Just think about their causes and conditions, life after life. To always have the strong brotherhood, practice the same path, share the same parents, and be born as brothers in all their lifetimes is truly not easy.
So, I say to everyone that we have to create good causes and conditions. To stay together, we must from strong, positive affinities, life after life. Haven’t you often heard people say “I vow, for life after life.”? Indeed, the vows we make and the positive affinities we create, will last life after life. In the past, Mahakasyapa also attained the dignified Buddha-body [by practicing] life after life. Because of his shared vow ‘with his wife], they also created positive affinities, life after life. Whether they were in the heaven or human realm, they shared the same vow, which was to believe in the Buddha-1Dharma, [to have] right faith, right knowledge, right understanding, right action. See how wondrous causes and conditions can be? So I say to everyone, we must constantly create positive affinities with people. The karmic law of cause and effect is the true principle Buddha-Dharma. Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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