Sutta Nipata Chapter 5: The Way to the Beyond
5:11 The Questions of Kappa
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato.(More copyright information)
1092
“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”
said Venerable Kappa,
“stuck mid-stream
as the terrifying flood arises,
tell me an island, good sir.
Explain to me an island
so that this may not occur again.”
1093
“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”
replied the Buddha,
“stuck mid-stream
as the terrifying flood arises,
I shall tell you an island, Kappa.
1094
Having nothing, taking nothing:
this is the isle of no return.
I call it extinguishment,
the ending of old age and death.
1095
Those who have fully understood this, mindful,
are extinguished in this very life.
They don’t fall under Māra’s sway,
nor are they his lackeys.”
The Young Man Kappa’s Questions are Finished
(iccāyasmā kappo):
1092"Majjhe sarasmiṁ tiṭṭhataṁ,
Oghe jāte mahabbhaye;
Jarāmaccuparetānaṁ,
Dīpaṁ pabrūhi mārisa;
Tvañca me dīpamakkhāhi,
Yathāyidaṁ nāparaṁ siyā".
(kappāti bhagavā):
1093 "Majjhe sarasmiṁ tiṭṭhataṁ,
Oghe jāte mahabbhaye;
Jarāmaccuparetānaṁ,
Dīpaṁ pabrūmi kappa te.
1094
Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,
etaṁ dīpaṁ anāparaṁ;
Nibbānaṁ iti naṁ brūmi,
jarāmaccuparikkhayaṁ.
1095
Etadaññāya ye satā,
Diṭṭhadhammābhinibbutā;
Na te māravasānugā,
Na te mārassa paddhagū"ti.
Kappamāṇavapucchā dasamā.