• Kassapagotta

1. Kassapagotta.Apparently the general name given to those belonging to the family of Kassapas. Thus the Ājīvaka Guna is addressed as Kassapagotta (J.vi.222) and again as Kassapa (J.vi.224, 229, 235). See also Kassapa (28).

2. Kassapagotta. A monk living in Vāsabhagāma in the Kāsi kingdom. He was in the habit of showing extreme hospitality to the monks who came there from other parts. Once some monks who visited him enjoyed his hospitality and stayed on. After some time, feeling that they had outstayed their welcome, Kassapagotta grew tired of looking after them and was blamed by them for his neglect. He therefore went to Campā, where he laid his case before the Buddha, who declared that no blame attached to him. Vin.i.312ff.

3. Kassapagotta. A monk living in Pankadhā in the Kosala country. He heard the Buddha preach a sermon, but was not satisfied with it and kept on thinking: "This recluse" (meaning the Buddha) "is much too scrupulous" (adhisallikhat'evāyam). Later, he was filled with remorse and, having sought the Buddha at Rājagaha, begged forgiveness for his thoughtlessness.

The Buddha praised him for having seen his transgression, and for his confession thereof and determination to practise self-restraint. A.i.236f

4. Kassapagotta. A monk, perhaps to be identified with one of the foregoing. He was once staying in a forest tract in Kosala and, seeing a trapper pursuing deer, intervened and protested against the man's earning his living by such cruel means. The trapper was too preoccupied with his quarry to pay much attention to what was said. A deva of the forest drew near the monk and instructed him not to waste his time in preaching to a man who heard but did not understand what was being said. Kassapa was agitated and, according to the Commentary, gave himself up to much striving and became an arahant. S. i.198f; SA.i.223.

5. Kassapagotta.One of the monks who accompanied the Thera Majjhima on his journey to the country of the Himālaya for the purpose of converting it to Buddhism (Dpv.viii.10; Sp.i.68; Mbv.115; MT.317).

In a relic-urn, found in Tope No.2 of Sāñchi group, were the ashes of this monk, where he is described as "Hemavatācariya." Cunningham: Bhilsā Topes, 287.