1.聞如是：
一時，佛在羅閱城迦蘭陀竹園所，與大比丘眾五百人俱。
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.
2. 爾時，尊者大迦葉住阿練若，到時乞食，不擇貧富，一處一坐，終不移易，樹下，露坐，或空閑處，著五納衣，或持三衣，或在塚間，或時一食，或正中食，或行頭陀，年高長大。
爾時，尊者大迦葉食後，便詣一樹下禪定。
禪定已，從坐起，整衣服，往至世尊所。
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.
3. 是時，世尊遙見迦葉來，世尊告曰：
「善來，迦葉！」
When the Bhagavaan saw Kaashyapa approaching from afar, he said:
“Welcome, Kaashyapa!”
4. 時，迦葉便至世尊所，頭面禮足，在一面坐。
Kaashyapa then approached the Bhagavaan, bowed his head at the Bhagavaan’s feet, and sat to one side.
5. 世尊告曰：
「迦葉！汝今年高長大，志衰朽弊。
汝今可捨乞食，乃至諸頭陀行，亦可受諸長者請，并受衣裳。」
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.”
6. 迦葉對曰：
「我今不從如來教。
所以然者，若當如來不成無上正真道者，我則成辟支佛。
然彼辟支佛盡行阿練若，到時乞食，不擇貧富，一處一坐，終不移易，樹下，露坐，或空閑處，著五納衣，或持三衣，或在塚間，或時一食，或正中食，或行頭陀。
如今不敢捨本所習，更學餘行。」
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.”
7. 世尊告曰：
「善哉！善哉！迦葉！
多所饒益，度人無量，廣及一切，天、人得度。
所以然者，若，迦葉！
此頭陀行在世者，我法亦當久在於世。
設法在世，益增天道，三惡道便減，亦成須陀洹、斯陀含、阿那含三乘之道，皆存於世。
諸比丘！所學皆當如迦葉所習。
如是，諸比丘！當作是學。」
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.”
8. 爾時，諸比丘聞佛所說，歡喜奉行。
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.