mahā-kāśyapa-sūtra
Mahakashyapa Sutra
With faith I give praise to the Three Noble Jewels!
Thus I heard once.
[The Blessed one] was in the bamboo garden of Kalandaka in Rajagriha. At that time the venerable Mahakashyapa was residing in the cave of Pijala. Because of his severe illness [he was] in pain and suffering.
Then in the evening the Blessed One was alone. He went and stood in front of the venerable Mahakashyapa and came close to him and lowered himself beside him on the seat set up. On descending, the Blessed One said to the venerable Mahakashyapa the following words:
Kashyapa! Do you desire food and drink? Are you experiencing suffering? Are you calm if you do not pacify [pain] with pacifying methods?
Then the venerable Mahakashyapa said:
Noble one! I am not hungry for food and drink. Severe illness brings me pain. [The disease] calms down now and then it does not calm down. I ask you to implement the methods that bring peace!
[Blessed One said]:
These seven branches of enlightenment I will elucidate to you in a benign way. If you meditate upon them repeatedly, you may attain clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana. What are the seven?
This branch of enlightenment, right mindfulness, Kashyapa, is explained by me as the branch of true enlightenment. If you meditate on it repeatedly, you will come to clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, the perfect analysis of the Teaching is explained by me as a branch of true enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will come to clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, right diligence is explained by me as a branch of enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will come to clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, joy is explained by me as a branch of true enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will attain clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, perfect tranquility is explained by me as a branch of true enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will attain clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, deep concentration is explained by me as a branch of true enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will attain clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, equanimity-balance is explained by me as a branch of true enlightenment! If you meditate upon it repeatedly, you will come to clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana.
Also, Kashyapa, this is explained by me as the seven branches of enlightenment. If you meditate on them repeatedly, you will come to clear understanding, enlightenment and nirvana. Practice the branches of enlightenment that are proclaimed by the Blessed One, the Tathagata!
The Blessed One said so, and the venerable Mahakashyapa praised what the Blessed One had said. Instantly pacified by the illness, the venerable Mahakashyapa rose up. And venerable Mahakashyapa's illness was pacified.
Thus ends the sutra of the venerable Mahakashyapa.
In the presence of the great sage Anandashri, the interpreter that heard much, bhikshu Shakya Nyima Gyaltshen Palzangpo translated and corrected what was said in two languages at the great temple of Paltharpa Ling.
May the Sun and the Moon be above the earth.
Translated by lama Karma Paljor (O. Filippov).