Foremost in Ascetic Practices: The Austerity and Legacy of Venerable Mahākāśyapa – From a Wealthy Son to the First Patriarch of Zen

Near the city of Rājagṛha in the ancient Indian kingdom of Magadha, there was a young Brahmin named Pippali. He came from a wealthy family but had no interest in worldly pleasures, aspiring only to leave home and practice a spiritual life. He was later to be known as Venerable Mahākāśyapa, "Foremost in Ascetic Practices," and the first patriarch of Zen.

A Wealthy Son: Averse to the World, Seeking the Truth

Venerable Mahākāśyapa, also known as Mahākāśyapa or Kāśyapa, was born into a wealthy Brahmin family in the ancient Indian kingdom of Magadha. His original name was Pippali, and Kāśyapa was his family name.

Pippali was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and was very familiar with the Brahminical scriptures and rituals. But he was not satisfied with this knowledge; he believed it could not truly solve the suffering and afflictions of life.

He grew tired of the luxurious life of the world and had no interest in marriage. His parents arranged marriages for him several times, but he refused them all. He only wanted to leave home to practice and seek the path to liberation.

The Pact with Bhadra: Like-Minded Spiritual Companions

Seeing that Pippali had no intention of marrying, his parents came up with a plan. They found a young woman named Bhadrā, who was not only beautiful and virtuous but also had no interest in worldly life and aspired to practice a spiritual life.

Pippali's parents said to Bhadrā, "If you can persuade Pippali to marry you, we will agree to let you both leave home to practice together."

Bhadrā agreed. She came to Pippali and expressed her thoughts. Pippali was overjoyed to hear this, as he had finally found a like-minded companion.

So, Pippali and Bhadrā held a wedding ceremony, but they did not live as an ordinary couple. They agreed to remain celibate for twelve years, each practicing on their own.

Taking Refuge in the Buddha: An Encounter in the Forest of Austerities

Twelve years later, Pippali and Bhadrā reached the age for leaving home. They bid farewell to their parents, left their hometown, and began their journey in search of a teacher.

One day, they came to the forest of austerities near Rājagṛha. There, they heard of the holy name of the Buddha. The Buddha was an enlightened one, and the Dharma he taught could guide beings to liberation.

Pippali and Bhadrā were filled with reverence for the Buddha and decided to go and pay homage to him. They came to the monastery where the Buddha was teaching and, from a distance, saw the Buddha's dignified appearance and compassionate aura.

The Buddha also noticed the young couple. He knew they had a deep affinity with the Dharma and walked towards them.

Upon seeing the Buddha, Pippali and Bhadrā immediately knelt and bowed, requesting to be ordained. The Buddha gladly agreed and ordained them. From then on, Pippali and Bhadrā, under the names Mahākāśyapa and Bhikkhunī respectively, became members of the Buddhist Sangha.

Foremost in Ascetic Practices: Strict Austerity

After becoming a monk, Venerable Mahākāśyapa did not live in a monastery like other monks. He chose the path of dhūta, a set of extremely strict ascetic practices.

The twelve dhūta practices include:

Wearing rag-robes: Wearing clothes made from discarded rags found in dust heaps.
Possessing only three robes: Owning only three robes: the saṃghāṭī (outer robe), uttarāsaṅga (upper robe), and antarvāsaka (inner robe).
Always begging for food: Going on daily alms rounds and not accepting other offerings.
Begging sequentially: Going from house to house for alms, without picking and choosing wealthy households.
Eating only one meal a day.
Eating a measured amount: Controlling the amount of food and not being greedy.
Not eating after noon.
Dwelling in the forest: Living in forests, caves, or other places far from human settlements.
Dwelling at the foot of a tree: Living under a tree without building a house.
Dwelling in the open: Living in the open without shelter from the elements.
Dwelling in a charnel ground.
Dwelling in any place: Not having a fixed abode and living wherever one happens to be.

Venerable Mahākāśyapa strictly observed these twelve dhūta practices without interruption. He wore ragged clothes, went on alms rounds every day, lived in forests or charnel grounds, and led an extremely simple life.

His asceticism was not for self-torture but to temper his will, cut off afflictions, and experience the impermanence of life. Through asceticism, he let go of attachment to material things and cultivated compassion for all beings.

The Flower Sermon: The Origin of Zen

Venerable Mahākāśyapa is best known in Buddhist history for the story of the "Flower Sermon." This story is considered the origin of Zen.

One day, the Buddha was teaching on Vulture Peak. He did not preach the sutras as usual but held up a flower and showed it to the assembly.

The disciples present did not know what the Buddha meant and looked at each other in confusion. Only Venerable Mahākāśyapa, upon seeing the Buddha hold up the flower, broke into a smile.

Seeing Venerable Mahākāśyapa smile, the Buddha said, "I have the treasury of the true Dharma eye, the wondrous mind of Nirvāṇa, the true form of the formless, the subtle Dharma gate, not established on words and letters, a special transmission outside the teachings, which I now entrust to Mahākāgassapa." This meant that the Buddha had transmitted the mind-seal of Zen to Venerable Mahākāśyapa. Venerable Mahākāśyapa thus became the first patriarch of Zen.

The First Council: The Transmission of Buddhism

After the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, Venerable Mahākāśyapa became the leader of the Sangha. He presided over the First Buddhist Council, laying an important foundation for the transmission of Buddhism.

At this council, Venerable Ānanda was responsible for reciting the Sutta Piṭaka, Venerable Upāli was responsible for reciting the Vinaya Piṭaka, and Venerable Mahākāśyapa was responsible for supervising and guiding the entire process.

With his deep understanding of the Dharma and his rigorous attitude, Venerable Mahākāśyapa ensured the accuracy and authority of the council. His contribution had a profound impact on the development of Buddhism.

Entering Samādhi on Mount Kukkutapada: Awaiting Maitreya Buddha

After presiding over the First Council, Venerable Mahākāśyapa handed over the leadership of the Sangha to Venerable Ānanda. He himself went to Mount Kukkutapada, entered a deep state of meditation, and awaited the coming of Maitreya Buddha.

Legend has it that Venerable Mahākāśyapa took the Buddha's golden-brocaded robe with him to Mount Kukkutapada. He vowed to personally hand over this robe to the future Maitreya Buddha.

Venerable Mahākāśyapa's entry into samādhi was not the end of his life but a deeper level of practice. In this way, he expressed his firm faith in the Dharma and his hope for the future.

Conclusion: Foremost in Ascetic Practices, First Patriarch of Zen

The life of Venerable Mahākāśyapa was a legendary journey from a wealthy son to an ascetic practitioner and then to the first patriarch of Zen. With his strict asceticism, profound understanding of the Dharma, and important role in the Buddhist tradition, he became a great practitioner in Buddhist history.

His story gives us profound inspiration: true practice is not in external forms but in inner transformation; true liberation is not in material enjoyment but in spiritual enhancement; true transmission is not in the handover of power but in the continuation of wisdom.

The spirit of Venerable Mahākāśyapa will forever inspire us to be diligent and forge ahead on the path of practice. His figure, practicing asceticism, is the most precious legacy left to future practitioners. His wisdom of the Flower Sermon is the eternal bright lamp of Zen.