SA 1141（一一四一） 极老

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa was staying in the Deer Park Lecture Hall in the Eastern Garden of Śrāvastī. In the afternoon, he emerged from meditation and went to where the World-Honored One was. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and sat to one side.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Mahākāśyapa, "You are now old, your faculties are mature, and the rag robes are heavy. My robes are light and good. You should now stay among the monks and wear the light robes of the householders' discarded colors."

Kāśyapa said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! I have long practiced the ascetic practices, praised the ascetic practices, rag robes, and begging for alms.

The Buddha said to Kāśyapa, "You see how many kinds of meanings, practicing the ascetic practices, praising the ascetic practices, rag robes, and begging for alms, praising the Dharma of rag robes and begging for alms?"

Kāśyapa said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! I see two kinds of meanings, the meaning of attaining peaceful dwelling in the present life, and also making great illumination for future sentient beings. Future sentient beings will think like this: 'The past elders with the six supernatural powers, who left home for a long time, with pure practice, praised by the World-Honored One, revered by those with wisdom and pure conduct, practiced the ascetic practices for a long time, praised the ascetic practices, rag robes, and begging for alms, praised the Dharma of rag robes and begging for alms. Those who hear it will rejoice with a pure mind, and for a long time all will attain peace, benefit, and well-being.'"

The Buddha said to Kāśyapa, "Excellent! Excellent! Kāśyapa! You have benefited many for a long time, bringing peace and happiness to sentient beings, having compassion for the world, bringing peace and happiness to gods and humans."

The Buddha said to Kāśyapa, "If one disparages the dhuta practices, one disparages me; if one praises the dhuta practices, one praises me. Why is this? Because the dhuta practices are what I have praised and extolled for a long time. Therefore, Kāśyapa! Those who practice asceticism should praise the practice of asceticism; those who wear rag robes and beg for alms should praise the Dharma of wearing rag robes and begging for alms."

Having spoken this sūtra, Mahākāśyapa, having heard what the Buddha said, was delighted and followed the Buddha's teachings. He bowed and departed.