Thus I have heard:
One time, the Budha was dwelling in Raajagriha at the Bamboo Grove of Kalandaka, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikshus.
At that time, the Venerable Maha-kaashyapa dwelt in the wilderness, seeking alms at the proper time without discriminating between rich and poor. He would sit in one place without moving, whether under trees, in open air, or in secluded places. He wore rag-robes or kept the three robes, sometimes dwelling in charnel grounds, eating once a day or at midday, practicing the dhuuta-gunas (ascetic) disciplines despite his advanced age.
Then, after his meal, the venerable Maha-kaashyapa went to meditate beneath a tree.
Having completed his meditation, he arose, adjusted his robes, and went to where the Bhagavaan was.
When the Bhagavaan saw Kaashyapa approaching from afar, he said:
“Welcome, Kaashyapa!”
Kaashyapa then approached the Bhagavaan, bowed his head at the Bhagavaan’s feet, and sat to one side.
The Bhagavaan said: “Kaashyapa! You are now old and aged, your body worn out. You may give up alms-seeking and the various dhuuta-gunas practices. You may accept invitations from wealthy patrons and receive robes.”
Kaashyapa replied: “I cannot follow the Tathaagata’s instruction. For if the Tathaagata had not attained Anuttara Samyak-Sambodhi, I would have become a Pratyekabudha. And those Pratyekabudhas all practice wilderness dwelling, timely alms-seeking without discrimination, sitting unmoved in one place, whether under trees, in open air or seclusion, wearing rag-robes or keeping three robes, dwelling in charnel grounds, eating once daily or at midday, maintaining the dhuuta-gunas practices. I dare not abandon my original practices to adopt others.”
The Bhagavaan said:
“Excellent, excellent, Kaashyapa! You bring vast benefit, liberating countless beings, extending to all devas and humans. For, Kaashyapa, as long as these dhuuta-gunas practices remain in the world, my Dharma will long endure. While the Dharma remains, the heavenly paths increase and the three evil destinies (of animals, hungry ghosts, and hell-beings) decrease. The paths of Srota-apanna (Stream-enterer), Sakrda-agaamin (Once-returner), and Ana-agaamin (Non-returner) – will all remain in the world.
O bhikshus! You should all practice as Kaashyapa does. Thus, O bhikshus, should you train.”
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.