Saɱyutta-Nikāya,
Nidāna-vaggo
16. Kassapa Saɱyuttam
Sutta 13
Sad'Dhamma-Patirūpaka Suttaɱ
An Image of the True Teaching
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Copyright The Pali Text Society. Reproduced with permission.
[1][pts][than] I heard thus: —
At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthī.
2. Venerable Mahakassapa approached the Blessed One worshipped and sat on a side.
3. Sitting venerable Mahakassapa said to the Blessed One:
'Venerable sir, what is the reason for this:
Earlier there were few rules and many monks got established in extinction,
now there are many rules and few monks get established in extinction?'
4. 'Kassapa, it happens thus when the good Teaching disappears and beings diminish.
There are many rules and few monks get established in extinction.
5. Kassapa, until an image of the True Teaching arises in the world,
the True Teaching does not disappear from the world.
When an image of the True Teaching arises in the world, the True Teaching disappears from the world.
6. Kassapa, until an imitation of pure gold arises in the world, pure gold does not disappear from the world.
When an imitation of pure gold arises in the world,
pure gold disappears from the world.
7. In the same way Kassapa, until an image of the True Teaching arises in the world,
the True Teaching does not disappear from the world.
When an image of the True Teaching arises in the world,
the True Teaching disappears from the world
8-11. Kassapa, the earth element does not cause the disappearance of the True Teaching.
The water element ... re ... The fire element ... re ...
The air element does not cause the disappearance of the True Teaching.
12. There arises in this world foolish men who cause the disappearance of the True Teaching.
13. A ship shows signs of sinking right from the beginning.
It does not happen to the True Teaching in that way.
14. Kassapa, these five reasons conduce to the confusion and disappearance of the True Teaching.
What five?
15. Kassapa, here bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay disciples male and female become rebellious and live not revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the Training and Concentration
Kassapa, the entering of these five things, causes confusion and disappearance of the True Teaching.
16. Kassapa, these five reasons conduce to the non confusion and non disappearance of the True Teaching.
What five?
17. Kassapa, here bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay disciples male and female become docile and live revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the Training and Concentration
18. Kassapa, these five things, cause non confusion and non disappearance of the True Teaching.'
