SN16.5 — Mahākassapa in Old Age
Thus have I heard...
At Rajagaha, in the Bamboo Grove. Then the venerable Mahākassapa approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting there, the Blessed One spoke to the venerable Mahākassapa:
You are now old, Kassapa, and these coarse, ragged robes are burdensome for you. Therefore, Kassapa, wear householders robes and partake in invitations, and stay near me.
Venerable Sir, for a long time I have been one who dwells in the forest and who praises the virtue of forest-dwelling, one who lives on alms and praises the virtue of living on alms, one who wears rag robes and praises the virtue of wearing rag robes, one with only three robes and praises the virtue of having only three robes, one who is easily contented and praises the virtue of contentment, one who is secluded and praises the virtue of seclusion, one who is undistracted and praises the virtue of undistractedness, one who is energetic and praises the virtue of energizing.
But Kassapa, for what reason do you, perceiving benefit, continue to uphold for a long time the praise of the virtue of forest-dwelling, the virtue of living on alms, the virtue of wearing rag robes, the virtue of possessing only three robes, contentment, solitude, and energetic striving?
Venerable Sir, perceiving two benefits, I have continued to uphold for a long time the praise of those virtues. First, perceiving my own comfort here and now, and second, out of compassion for future generations, so that future generations might follow a similar path. For indeed, those who were disciples following the Tathāgata for a long time were those who appreciated and upheld the virtue of forest-dwelling, the virtue of living on alms, the virtue of wearing rag robes, possessing only three robes, contentment, solitude, non-distraction, and energetic striving.
They will engage in such conduct, and it will be for their long-term welfare and happiness. Seeing, venerable sir, these two grounds for benefit, I have been for a long time a forest-dweller and a proponent of the benefits of dwelling in the forest; one who lives on almsfood... wears rag-robes... uses triple robes... is of few desires... content... secluded... not associated with others... has strong effort and is a proponent of the praise of effort.
Good, good, Kassapa. It is said that you, Kassapa, have undertaken a path for the welfare and happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Therefore, Kassapa, wear the robes of cloth retrieved from rubbish-heaps and refuse materials, collect alms for food, and dwell in the forest.