Venerable Mahākaccāna👤person

On being asked about his teaching and what he proclaims, the Buddha describes non-conflict as the goal of his teaching and proclaims a state where perceptions do not lead to preoccupation. Venerable Mahākaccāna elaborates on this by thoroughly examining the dependent arising of phenomena, beginning with the six sense bases—eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.

The Buddha delivers a brief, challenging summary statement on maintaining a consciousness that is unscattered externally, not fixated internally, and unperturbed by not grasping. When he departs unexpectedly, venerable Mahākaccāna provides a brilliant clause-by-clause exposition on these states.

Elder bhikkhus debate the best time of day to approach an esteemed bhikkhu. Mahākaccāna resolves the discussion by quoting the Buddha: the proper time is not based on the clock, but rather whenever one is internally overwhelmed by the five hindrances or lacks the sign for the wearing away of the taints.

Seeing venerable Mahākaccāna sitting with mindfulness immersed in the body, the Blessed One expresses an inspired verse about mindfulness leading to the cutting of attachment.