XXIV.

Tanhavagga

Kapilamaccha Vatthu ( Verses 334, 335, 336 and 337 )

The Story of Kapila the Fish

( Summary)

During the time of Kassapa Buddha, there was a bhikkhu named Kapila, who was very
learned in the Pitakas. Because of his great learning he gained much fame and fortune; he also
became very conceited and was full of contempt for other bhikkhus.When other bhikkhus
pointed out to him, what was proper or not proper he invariably retorted, "How much do you
know?"implying that he knew much more than those bhikkhus.It makes no difference whether
you have a chance to listen to the Patimokkha or not, " etc., and left the congregation of the
bhikkhus.That fish, as mentioned above, had a very beautiful golden body, but his mouth had a
very horrid, offensive smell.The king, in his turn took the fish to the Buddha.As predicted, on its
death the fish was reborn in niraya, to undergo another term of continuous torment.