Pāli Dictionary

Kassapa24

Person

A monk of Arimaddana who lived in the time of King Narapati, became known as Pollaṅka Thera after a mission there, and, according to legend, was thrown overboard during a sea crossing before being rescued by Sakka in the form of a crocodile and later returning from Sri Lanka with relics and Bodhi-tree seeds.

The Sāsanavaṃsa (p.71) mentions a Kassapa Thera of Arimaddana, in the time of King Narapati. While on tour he reached a country called Pollaṅka, where the people grew very fond of him and where he became known as Pollaṅka Thera. Some time later he was crossing to Sri Lanka and the vessel in which he was refused to move. Lots were drawn, as it was necessary to discover who aboard the vessel was the sinner. The lot fell repeatedly on Kassapa, because, in a former life, he had harassed a dog in the water. He was accordingly thrown overboard, but was rescued by Sakka, in the form of a crocodile. The thera reached Yakkhadīpa (q.v.) and there, as a result of practising compassion, the blind yakkhas gained their sight. Kassapa went later to Sīhaladīpa, whence he returned home with relics and seeds of the Bodhi-tree and models of the Mahācetiya and Lohapāsāda.

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