SN 16.13 — The Counterfeit of the True Teaching

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Venerable Mahākassapa went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: “What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why there used to be fewer training rules but more enlightened mendicants? And what is the cause, what is the reason why these days there are more training rules and fewer enlightened mendicants?” “That’s how it is, Kassapa. When sentient beings are in decline and the true teaching is disappearing there are more training rules and fewer enlightened mendicants. The true teaching doesn’t disappear as long as the counterfeit of the true teaching hasn’t appeared in the world. But when the counterfeit of the true teaching appears in the world then the true teaching disappears. It’s like native gold, which doesn’t disappear as long as counterfeit gold hasn’t appeared in the world. But when counterfeit gold appears in the world then native gold disappears. In the same way, the true teaching doesn’t disappear as long as the counterfeit of the true teaching hasn’t appeared in the world. But when the counterfeit of the true teaching appears in the world then the true teaching disappears. It’s not the elements of earth, water, fire, or air that make the true teaching disappear. Rather, it’s the futile people who appear right here that make the true teaching disappear. The true teaching doesn’t disappear like a ship that sinks all at once. There are five detrimental things that lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching. What five? It’s when the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen lack respect and reverence for the Teacher, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the training, and immersion. These five detrimental things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching. There are five things that lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching. What five? It’s when the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen maintain respect and reverence for the Teacher, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the training, and immersion. These five things lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.” The Linked Discourses with Kassapa are complete. Linked Discourses on Gains and Honor Contents Chapter One SN 17.1 Grim Dāruṇasutta SN 17.2 A Hook Baḷisasutta SN 17.3 A Turtle Kummasutta SN 17.4 A Fleecy Sheep Dīghalomikasutta SN 17.5 A Dung Beetle Mīḷhakasutta SN 17.6 A Bolt of Lightning Asanisutta SN 17.7 A Poisoned Arrow Diddhasutta SN 17.8 A Jackal Siṅgālasutta SN 17.9 Gale-force Winds Verambhasutta SN 17.10 With Verses Sagāthakasutta Chapter Two SN 17.11 A Gold Cup Suvaṇṇapātisutta SN 17.12 A Silver Pot Rūpiyapātisutta SN 17.13–20 A Gold Ingot, Etc. Suvaṇṇanikkhasuttādiaṭṭhaka Chapter Three SN 17.21 A Lady Mātugāmasutta SN 17.22 The Finest Lady in the Land Kalyāṇīsutta SN 17.23 An Only Son Ekaputtakasutta SN 17.24 An Only Daughter Ekadhītusutta SN 17.25 Ascetics and Brahmins Samaṇabrāhmaṇasutta SN 17.26 Ascetics and Brahmins (2nd) Dutiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta SN 17.27 Ascetics and Brahmins (3rd) Tatiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta SN 17.28 Skin Chavisutta SN 17.29 A Rope Rajjusutta SN 17.30 A Mendicant With Defilements Ended Bhikkhusutta Chapter Four SN 17.31 Schism Bhindisutta SN 17.32 Skillful Root Kusalamūlasutta SN 17.33 Skillful Quality Kusaladhammasutta SN 17.34 Bright Quality Sukkadhammasutta SN 17.35 Shortly After He Left Acirapakkantasutta SN 17.36 Five Hundred Carts Pañcarathasatasutta SN 17.37 Mother Mātusutta SN 17.38–43 Father, Etc. Pitusuttādichakka Chapter One