Saddhammapatirupaka Sutta
An Image of the True Teaching
Sutta Pitaka
Sanyutta Nikàya
Division II Ý Nidàna
Book 15 Ý Kassapa Saüyutta
Chapter 1 Ý Kassapa Vagga
1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi.An Image of the True Teaching
Sutta Pitaka
Sanyutta Nikàya
Division II Ý Nidàna
Book 15 Ý Kassapa Saüyutta
Chapter 1 Ý Kassapa Vagga
2. Venerable Mahakassapa approached the Blessed One worshipped and sat on a side.
3. Sitting venerable Mahakassapa said to Lord Buddha, the Blessed One: Venerable sir, what is the reason for this: Earlier there were few rules and many monks got established in extinction, now there are many rules and few monks get established in extinction?
4. Kassapa, it happens thus when the good Teaching disappears and beings diminish. There are many rules and few monks get established in extinction.
5. Kassapa, until an image of the True Teaching arises in the world, the True Teaching does not disappear from the world. When an image of the True Teaching arises in the world, the True Teaching disappears from the world.
6. Kassapa, until an imitation of pure gold arises in the world, pure gold does not disappear from the world. When an imitation of pure gold arises in the world, pure gold disappears from the world.
7. In the same way Kassapa, until an image of the True Teaching arises in the world, the True Teaching does not disappear from the world. When an image of the True Teaching arises in the world, the True Teaching disappears from the world
8-11. Kassapa, the earth element does not cause the disappearance of the True Teaching. The water element , The fire element, The air element does not cause the disappearance of the True Teaching.
12. There arises in this sasana foolish men who cause the disappearance of the True Teaching.
13. A ship shows signs of sinking right from the beginning. It does not happen to the True Teaching in that way
14. Kassapa, these five reasons conduce to the confusion and disappearance of the True Teaching.
What five?
15. Kassapa, here bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay disciples male and female become rebellious and live not revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the Training and Concentration
Kassapa, the entering of these five things, causes confusion and disappearance of the True Teaching.

