Thus have I heard; On one occasion the Blessed One was residing at the Squirrels’ feeding ground in the Bamboo Grove, near Rajagaha. At that time, the Venerable Mahā Kassapa who was living in the Pipphali Cave,was afflicted with a disease, was suffering, and was gravely ill.

Then the Blessed One, arising from His solitude at even tide, visited the Venerable Mahā Kassapa and sat down on a seat made ready for Him. Thus seated, the Blessed One spoke to the Venerable Mahā Kassapa.

“Well Kassapa, how is it with you? Are you enduring your suffering? Are you bearing up? Does your painful feeling decrease or increase? Are there signs of decreasing and not increasing?”

“No. Venerable Sir, I am not enduring. I am not bearing up, the painful feeling is very great. There is a sign of pain not decreasing but of their increasing.”

“Kassapa, these seven factors of Enlightenment are well expounded by Me, and are cultivated and fully developed by Me. They are conducive to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana” What are the seven?

Mindfulness, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Investigation of the Dhamma, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Persevering effort, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Rapture, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, Is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Tranquility, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Concentration, the factor of Enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

Equanimity, the factor of Enlightenment. Kassapa, is well expounded by Me, and is cultivated and fully developed by Me. It conduces to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

These seven factors of Enlightenment, Kassapa, are well expounded by Me, and are cultivated and fully developed by Me. They conduce to perfect understanding, to full realization and to Nibbana.

“Most assuredly, O Blessed One, they are factors of Enlightenment.
Most assuredly, O Welcome One (Sugata), they are factors of Enlightenment.”

Thus said the Buddha, and also the Venerable Mahā Kassapa, who glad at heart, was delighted at the utterances of the Buddha. Thereupon the Venerable Mahā Kassapa recovered from that affliction, and that affliction of the Venerable Mahā Kassapa disappeared.