The Questions of KappaKappamāṇavapucchā

“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”“Majjhe sarasmiṁ tiṭṭhataṁ, said Venerable Kappa,(iccāyasmā kappo) “stuck mid-streamOghe jāte mahabbhaye; as the terrifying flood arises,Jarāmaccuparetānaṁ, tell me an island, good fellow.Dīpaṁ pabrūhi mārisa; Explain to me an islandTvañca me dīpamakkhāhi, so this may occur no further.”Yathāyidaṁ nāparaṁ siyā”.

“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”“Majjhe sarasmiṁ tiṭṭhataṁ, replied the Buddha,(kappāti bhagavā) “stuck mid-streamOghe jāte mahabbhaye; as the terrifying flood arises,Jarāmaccuparetānaṁ, I shall tell you an island, Kappa.Dīpaṁ pabrūmi kappa te.

Having nothing, taking nothing:Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ, this is the island with nothing further.etaṁ dīpaṁ anāparaṁ; I call it extinguishment,Nibbānaṁ iti naṁ brūmi, the ending of old age and death.jarāmaccuparikkhayaṁ.

Those who have fully understood this, mindful,Etadaññāya ye satā, are quenched in this very life.Diṭṭhadhammābhinibbutā; They don’t fall under Māra’s sway,Na te māravasānugā, nor are they his footmen.”Na te mārassa paddhagū”ti.