The Mahākaccānabhaddekarattasutta on the Venerated Mahākaccāna (vegan), Part 1 of 2

Shakyamuni Buddha had thousands of disciples during His lifetime; however, there are ten principal disciples who have been especially respected and revered for helping to spread the dharma through the qualities that they possessed. These ten disciples are the Venerated Sariputra, the Venerated Maudgalyayana, the Venerated Mahākāśyapa, the Venerated Subhuti, the Venerated Purna Maitrayani-Putra, the Venerated Katyayana,

the Venerated Anuruddha, the Venerated Upali, the Venerated Rāhula, and the Venerated Ānanda (all vegans).

Today, we would like to focus on the Venerated Katyayana (vegan), also known as Mahākaccāna, who was greatly skilled in explaining and debating the Dharma. He is also recognized as the author of the Nettipakaraṇa and Petakopadesa, two treatises that form part of the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. It is an honor to present the Mahākaccānabhaddekarattasutta, a Theravada Sutta in which some mendicants, after listening to Lord Buddha’s summary recital of “One Fine Night,” go to the Venerated Mahākaccāna for a more detailed explanation.

Mahākaccānabhaddekarattasutta Mahākaccāna and One Fine Night

“[…] ‘Learn the summary recital and the analysis of the one who has one fine night, mendicant, memorize it, and remember it. It is beneficial and relates to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.’ That’s what that deity said, before vanishing right there. Then, when the night had passed, Samiddhi went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told Him what had happened. Then he added: ‘Sir, please teach me the summary recital and the analysis of the one who has one fine night.’ ‘Well then, mendicant, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.’ ‘Yes, Sir,’ Samiddhi replied.

The Buddha said this: ‘Don’t run back to the past, don’t anticipate the future. What’s past is left behind, the future has not arrived; and any present phenomenon you clearly discern in every case. The unfaltering, the unshakable: having known that, foster it. Today’s the day to keenly work – who knows, tomorrow may bring death! For there is no bargain to be struck with Death and his mighty horde. One who keenly meditates like this, tireless all night and day: that’s who has one fine night – so declares the peaceful sage.’

That is what the Buddha said. When He had spoken, the Holy One got up from His seat and entered His dwelling. Soon after the Buddha left, those mendicants considered, ‘The Buddha gave this brief summary recital, then entered his dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail. … Who can explain in detail the meaning of this brief summary given by the Buddha?’ Then those mendicants thought: ‘This Venerable Mahākaccāna is praised by the Buddha and esteemed by his sensible spiritual companions. He is capable of explaining in detail the meaning of this brief summary recital given by the Buddha. Let’s go to him, and ask him about this matter.’ […]

Venerable Mahākaccāna said this: ‘Reverends, the Buddha gave this brief summary recital, then entered His dwelling without explaining the meaning in detail: “Don’t run back to the past … that’s who has one fine night – so declares the peaceful sage.” And this is how I understand the detailed meaning of this summary recital. And how do you run back to the past? Consciousness gets tied up there with desire and lust, thinking: “In the past I had such eyes and such sights.” So you take pleasure in that, and that’s when you run back to the past.’”