The young deity Kassapa, on Buddha’s invitation, shares a verse on the instruction for a bhikkhu.

SN 2.1  Paṭhama kassapa sutta - Kassapa (First)

Evaṁ me sutaṁekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park.

Atha kho kassapo devaputto abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇo kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho kassapo devaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “bhikkhuṁ bhagavā pakāsesi, no ca bhikkhuno anusāsan”ti.

Then, when the night had advanced, the young deity Kassapa, with a radiant appearance, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. Having drawn near, he paid homage to the Blessed One, stood to one side, and said to the Blessed One: “The Blessed One has revealed the bhikkhu but not the instruction to the bhikkhu.”

“Tena hi, kassapa, taññevettha paṭibhātū”ti.

[The Blessed One]: “Well then, Kassapa, clear up this point yourself.”

“Subhāsitassa sikkhetha,
samaṇūpāsanassa ca;
Ekāsanassa ca raho,
cittavūpasamassa cā”ti.

“He should train in |well-spoken::articulate, eloquent [subhāsita]| speech,
and in the contemplative practice,
sitting alone, |in seclusion::privately [raho]|,
in |settling of::calming of, subsiding of, conciliation of, peace of [vūpasama]| the mind.”

Idamavoca kassapo devaputto; samanuñño satthā ahosi. Atha kho kassapo devaputto “samanuñño me satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.

This is what the young deity Kassapa said, the teacher approved. Then the young deity Kassapa, thinking, “The Teacher approves,” paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him, and disappeared right there.

Qualities:

Right speech

Right speech

Speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter.

Also known as: truthful speech, honest speech, kind speech, beneficial speech, harmonious speech, articulate words, eloquent communication
Pāli: sammāvācā
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Solitude

Solitude

Physical seclusion from crowds and mental seclusion from unwholesome states. It provides the quietude necessary for the mind to settle, detach from worldly entanglements, and develop deep collectedness.

Also known as: seclusion, privacy, aloofness, non-association
Pāli: viveka, asaṃsaṭṭha
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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Last updated on May 6, 2026