4.
The First Discourse on the Sick
195.
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 the Blessed One, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Mahākassapa;
having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat.
Having sat down, the Blessed One said this to the Venerable Mahākassapa -
"Is it bearable for you, Kassapa, is it endurable? Are unpleasant feelings receding, not advancing; is their receding evident, not their advancing?" "It is not bearable for me, venerable sir, not endurable. Excessive unpleasant feelings are advancing for me, not receding; their advancing is evident, not their receding."
"These seven factors of enlightenment, Kassapa, have been rightly proclaimed by me, developed and cultivated; they lead to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna. Which seven? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness, Kassapa, has been rightly proclaimed by me, developed and cultivated; it leads to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna. Etc. The enlightenment factor of equanimity, Kassapa, has been rightly proclaimed by me, developed and cultivated; it leads to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna. These seven factors of enlightenment, Kassapa, have been rightly proclaimed by me, developed and cultivated; they lead to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbāna." "Truly, Blessed One, they are factors of enlightenment; truly, Fortunate One, they are factors of enlightenment."
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Mahākassapa rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said. And the Venerable Mahākassapa recovered from that illness. And that illness of the Venerable Mahākassapa was thus abandoned. The fourth.