5:10 The Questions of Kappa

(Said the Venerable Kappa)

1092“For those standing in the midst of the stream,
when a perilous flood has arisen,
for those oppressed by old age and death,
declare an island, dear sir.
Explain to me the island
so this might occur no more.” (1) [212]

(“Kappa,” said the Blessed One)

1093For those standing in the midst of the stream,
when a perilous flood has arisen,
for those oppressed by old age and death,
let me declare an island to you. (2)

1094“Owning nothing, taking nothing:
this is the island with nothing further.
I call this ‘nibbāna,’
the extinction of old age and death. (3)

1095“Having understood this, those mindful ones
are quenched in this very life.
They do not come under Māra’s control,
nor are they Māra’s footmen.” (4)

Kappamāṇavapucchā

(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.