13.
Discourse on the Counterfeit of the Good Teaching
156.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then the Venerable Mahākassapa approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the Venerable Mahākassapa said this to the Blessed One -
"What, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the condition, by which formerly there were fewer training rules and more monks became established through final knowledge?
But what, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the condition, by which now there are more training rules and fewer monks become established through final knowledge?"
"So it is, Kassapa, when beings are declining, when the Good Teaching is disappearing, there are more training rules and fewer monks become established through final knowledge.
The Good Teaching does not disappear, Kassapa, so long as a counterfeit of the Good Teaching has not arisen in the world.
But when, Kassapa, a counterfeit of the Good Teaching arises in the world, then there is the disappearance of the Good Teaching."
"Just as, Kassapa, gold does not disappear so long as counterfeit gold has not arisen in the world. But when, Kassapa, counterfeit gold arises in the world, then there is the disappearance of gold. So too, Kassapa, the Good Teaching does not disappear so long as a counterfeit of the Good Teaching has not arisen in the world. But when, Kassapa, a counterfeit of the Good Teaching arises in the world, then there is the disappearance of the Good Teaching.
"It is not, Kassapa, the solid element that causes the Good Teaching to disappear, nor the liquid element that causes the Good Teaching to disappear, nor the heat element that causes the Good Teaching to disappear, nor the air element that causes the Good Teaching to disappear; but right here those foolish men arise who cause this Good Teaching to disappear. Just as, Kassapa, a boat sinks only by taking on cargo; it is not thus, Kassapa, that the Good Teaching disappears.
"There are, Kassapa, these five degrading things that lead to the decay and disappearance of the Good Teaching. Which five? Here, Kassapa, monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers dwell disrespectful and not deferential towards the Teacher, dwell disrespectful and not deferential towards the Teaching, dwell disrespectful and not deferential towards the Community, dwell disrespectful and not deferential towards the training, dwell disrespectful and not deferential towards concentration - these, Kassapa, are the five degrading things that lead to the decay and disappearance of the Good Teaching.
"There are, Kassapa, these five things that lead to the presence, non-decay, and non-disappearance of the Good Teaching. Which five? Here, Kassapa, monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers dwell respectful and deferential towards the Teacher, dwell respectful and deferential towards the Teaching, dwell respectful and deferential towards the Community, dwell respectful and deferential towards the training, dwell respectful and deferential towards concentration - these, Kassapa, are the five things that lead to the presence, non-decay, and non-disappearance of the Good Teaching." The thirteenth.