Kasyapa receiving the Dharma transmission from Shizun is a well-known story in the history of the Zen Sect in Buddhism. According to the "Great Brahma King Inquiry Buddha Decision Doubt Sutra," there was an occasion when the Buddha, at the request of the Brahma Heaven King, went to Lingjiu Mountain to preach. After ascending the seat, the Buddha didn’t say a word, holding only a Bodhi Flower for the assembly to see. The audience didn’t comprehend and were all intently watching. At that moment, only Kasyapa broke into a smile upon seeing the Buddha show the flower. The Buddha then announced to the public, "I have the true eye of the Dharma, the subtle mind of Nirvana, the reality without form, which I entrust to Mahakasyapa." He also gave Kasyapa the golden-threaded kasaya and bowl he used daily. Thus, Kasyapa became the Buddha’s successor. The Zen Sect in our country also honored him as the "Western Heaven First Generation Ancestor."

After the Buddha’s Parinirvana, Kasyapa took on the heavy responsibility of upholding the Buddhist Law. Under his leadership and guidance, the collection of the Buddha’s teachings was initiated. This collection took place in the city of Rajgir, with five hundred monks who had attained the Arhat Fruit participating. During the meeting, Ananda recited the Sutra Pitaka, and Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka, resulting in the gathering of the two major Buddhist scriptures of Sutra and Vinaya. This was the first collection of its kind in Buddhist history. The work initiated by Kasyapa to gather the Buddhist scriptures made an indelible contribution to the collection, preservation, and widespread dissemination of the Buddha’s teachings.

It is said that when Kasyapa reached old age, he passed the Dharma to Ananda, then went alone to Jizu Mountain, eight hundred li southwest of Rajgir. In the basin between the three peaks resembling a chicken’s foot, he entered meditation, waiting for Maitreya to appear, to whom he would pass the robe and bowl given by the Buddha.

Jia Zhan Yan—First in Debate

Jia Zhan Yan was a person of the Buddha’s time. Influenced by his uncle Asi Tuo Immortal from an early age, he mastered the Vedic scriptures, astrology, and various ancient Indian languages, excelling particularly in ancient writings. It is said that there was an ancient stele in India at that time, the writings on which no one could decipher. The King issued a proclamation offering a great reward to anyone who could read it. Jia Zhan Yan responded to the challenge, easily translating the stele’s text. However, the contents of the stele puzzled him. Following his uncle’s guidance, he went to the Bamboo Grove Monastery to consult with the Buddha, who explained the stele’s contents in detail. It turned out that the stele discussed the principles of eradicating defilements and attaining Bodhi. After hearing the Buddha’s explanation, Jia Zhan Yan admired the Buddha’s knowledge and thought deeply. In this way, an ancient stele led him into the world of Buddhist truth.

After becoming a monk, Jia Zhan Yan not only diligently practiced but also actively engaged in the work of advocating for Buddhism. Possessing quick thinking, unimpeded eloquence, and thorough reasoning, he earned the title "First in Debate" among the Buddha’s disciples. Owing to his skill in debate, many outsiders were subdued by his arguments, and numerous individuals stepped onto the Buddhist path under his skillful guidance. In the "Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish," there is a story about this. In the country of Apanthi, a destitute old woman, due to her poor condition, walked to the riverbank and cried out loud, wishing to end her life. Jia Zhan Yan, seeing this, hurried to comfort her. Upon learning that poverty was causing her distress, he taught her the method of "selling poverty" as a skillful means. The method of selling poverty was through practicing generosity. Following his advice, the woman practiced giving, ultimately being born into the Daoli Heavenly Palace. This story is known as "Jia Zhan Yan Teaching the Old Mother to Sell Poverty." The places where Jia Zhan Yan spread the Dharma were often in regions like Western India, where Buddhism was yet to be widespread, establishing him as a pioneering figure in the propagation of the Buddhist Law.

Purna—First in Preaching

In translation, Purna means "fulfilled wish," "fulfilled blessing," etc. He was born into an elder Brahmin family in Kapilavastu and shared the same birthday as the Buddha. He became a monk when the Buddha first turned the Dharma Wheel in Rajgir. Among the Buddha’s disciples, he was renowned as "First in Preaching." His skill in preaching earned him this title. According to records, when he preached, "he started with eloquent words to delight beings; then he spoke bitter truths to help listeners resolve their doubts." It is evident that his method of preaching was one of gradual progression and patient guidance. Purna was also known as an eminent proselytizer among the Buddha’s disciples. In order to spread the Dharma, allowing all beings to benefit from the teachings, he fearlessly traveled, enduring various hardships across different regions, disseminating the rain of Dharma, guiding countless beings to find their way, abandon darkness, and embrace light. Western India at the time had a remote place known as "Shuluna Country," where the culture was backward, the populace was violent, and where Buddhism had not yet been introduced, making it a challenging place for proselytism. To save the ignorance-ridden beings there, Purna, despite knowing the difficulties, requested the Buddha’s permission to preach there. Subhuti tested him, knowing he truly possessed the spirit of being devoted to the Dharma, thus granting his request. Before he set off, the Buddha personally saw him off. In that country, Purna accepted five hundred disciples and established five hundred temples, achieving great success in his missionary work. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Subhuti—First in Understanding Emptiness

The name Subhuti means "well perceived" or "empty born." He was born into a Brahmin family in the city of Rajgir, gifted and intelligent from a young age but with a stubborn and easily angered nature. It is said that he was guided by the mountain deity to take refuge with the Buddha. Subhuti had his specialties, being "adept at interpreting the concept of emptiness, aspiring to tranquility," earning the title "First in Understanding Emptiness" among the Buddha’s disciples. He consistently wove the "principle of emptiness" into all his speech and actions. Once, while sewing clothes at the Jeta Grove Monastery in Luoyue City, the Buddha suddenly visited the city, and the local people flocked to greet and pay homage to him. Subhuti also intended to go, but just as he was about to set out, a sudden thought struck him: "All forms are illusions," adhering to the principle that one should not perceive the Buddha with bodily appearance, and that true reverence for the Buddha relies on understanding the truth of the emptiness of all phenomena. Hence, he did not go to greet the Buddha. This action later received the Buddha’s high praise, with the Buddha declaring him "the first to welcome the Buddha." Due to Subhuti’s profound understanding of emptiness, he was unperturbed by anything, free from disputes, with a broad mind and open heart, residing in serene ease. Therefore, the Buddha acclaimed him for attaining the non-contentious Sanmei, being the first among people, and the foremost Arhat in detachment from desires.

Upali—First in Upholding Precepts

The name Upali means "close adherence" or "close taking." He was born into the lowest caste, the Shudra class, among the four castes of India, and originally served as a barber for the Royal Family of Kapilavastu. Due to his inherent sincerity and diligence, his work was appreciated by the Royal Family. When the Buddha returned to Kapilavastu for a visit, the princes Anaruy and Ananda, among others, expressed their desire to become monks along with the Buddha. Upali also wished to join, but was troubled by his humble origins. The Buddha, perceiving his intent, allowed him to renounce the world with the princes. Possessing deep-rooted virtuous tendencies, the Buddha remarked that he was a foremost disciple in upholding precepts under Kasyapa Buddha and permitted him to be ordained before the princes. After becoming a monk, he upheld the precepts rigorously, with the Buddhist Sutra recording that "since receiving ordination from the Buddha, he never violated even a hair’s breadth of precepts," earning him the title "First in Upholding Precepts" among the Buddha’s disciples. Despite his reputation for strict adherence to precepts, he did not rigidly adhere to the precepts established by the Buddha, as the Buddhist Sutra frequently recounts instances of him seeking the Buddha’s permission to accommodate the needs of sick monks. He not only personally adhered strictly to the precepts but also assisted the Buddha in establishing precepts, continually upholding the Buddha’s regulations. Most notably, during the first gathering of Buddhist scriptures, he was the reciter of the Vinaya Pitaka, contributing an immortal legacy to the integrity of the Buddhist monk group and the adherence to the correct development path of Buddhism in subsequent generations. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)