The Questions of Kappa

“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”

said Venerable Kappa,

“stuck mid-stream

as the terrifying flood arises,

tell me an island, good fellow.

Explain to me an island

so this may occur no further.”

“For those overwhelmed by old age and death,”

replied the Buddha,

“stuck mid-stream

as the terrifying flood arises,

I shall tell you an island, Kappa.

Having nothing, taking nothing:

this is the island with nothing further.

I call it extinguishment,

the ending of old age and death.

Those who have fully understood this, mindful,

are quenched in this very life.

They don’t fall under Māra’s sway,

nor are they his footmen.”