6.
The Discourse on Mahākassapa
6.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Now at that time the Venerable Mahākassapa was dwelling in the Pippali Cave, sick, afflicted, severely ill.
Then at a later time the Venerable Mahākassapa emerged from that illness.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Mahākassapa who had emerged from that illness -
"What if I were to enter Rājagaha for almsfood."
Now at that time about five hundred deities had become zealously engaged in obtaining almsfood for the Venerable Mahākassapa. Then the Venerable Mahākassapa, having rejected those five hundred deities, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for almsfood - towards the street of the poor, the street of the destitute, the street of the weavers. The Blessed One saw the Venerable Mahākassapa walking for almsfood in Rājagaha towards the street of the poor, the street of the destitute, the street of the weavers.
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -
One who has eliminated the mental corruptions, who has vomited out hate, him I call a brahmin." The sixth.