Kapimala
Kapimala
2nd c. – Unknown
Kapimala is the thirteenth patriarch in the Chan list, named in the *Jǐngdé Chuándēng Lù* as the disciple of Aśvaghoṣa and the teacher of Nāgārjuna[1]. The historical basis for the figure is uncertain. He appears in some Sarvāstivādin traditions as a brahmin philosopher of southern India whom Aśvaghoṣa converted by argument; the conversion narrative parallels Aśvaghoṣa's own conversion by Pārśva[2]. He is associated with the spread of Buddhism into southern India and with the recognition of Nāgārjuna as his successor.
Dumoulin observes that Kapimala functions in the lineage as a hinge between the northern Sarvāstivādin scholastic tradition associated with Aśvaghoṣa and the southern Mahāyāna milieu in which Nāgārjuna would emerge[3]. Whether Kapimala is a single historical person or a name absorbing several traditions cannot now be determined.
Names
Disciples of Kapimala
Teachers and lineage of Kapimala
Teacher / root master:
Teachings
- dialogueMeeting Nāgārjuna
When Kapimala first came to the land of western India, the nāga (dragon) king of a great lake emerged from the water to greet him. Kapimala said: 'This body of yours that fills the lake—is this your true body or your transformed body?' The nāga king said: 'There is no difference.' Kapimala said: 'Who told you so?' The nāga king was silent. Kapimala said: 'The one who is silent—that is the answer.' Keizan's verse: The dragon enters the water / and the water becomes the dragon. / Why look for a border / between what moves and what is still?
- sayingFire Hidden in the Seed
Kapimala said: 'The potential for awakening is like fire hidden within a seed. The fire does not know it is there; the seed does not know it contains fire. Yet when the right conditions arise—warmth, moisture, contact—the sprout emerges, and eventually burns bright. Do not ask whether you have Buddha-nature. Ask only: what are your conditions right now?'
Other masters in Indian Patriarchs
Master Record Sources
- datesZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
trad. 2nd c. CE
- nameZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Kapimala
- schoolZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Indian Patriarchs
- teachersZen Editorial Overlay - Originals Curation
Ashvaghosha
Kapimala is counted the thirteenth Indian patriarch in Chan/Zen transmission lists, situated between Aśvaghoṣa and Nāgārjuna; the Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia documents his lineage position.