Ma-Ha Ca-Diếp
I. The meaning of his name:
Due to the merit of molding statues of Buddha in his past life, he had an immeasurable brightness that reflected from within. He was also a successor of Buddha.
II. His Life:
He was born in Ma-Kiệt-Đà and belonged to the Brahmin (Bà-La-Môn) family - A very powerful race in India at the time. His father was Ẳm-Trạch and his mother was Hương-Chi. He was raised in a very wealthy family, but was not interested in the material world. He was forced by his parents to marry to a beautiful girl in Tỳ-Xá-Lỵ city. However, he was very happy to know that his wife also had the same living style. They lived together for more than 12 years in a life of purity. Thereafter, they both detached from the material world, and Ma-Ha Ca-Diếp became a disciple of Buddha.
III. His Success and Admiration of the Buddhists:
He practiced a conduct called Đầu-Çà. His age did not hinder him from practicing this conduct. The Buddha encouraged him by saying that: "Having the Đầu Đà conduct will make our religion forever lasting". (Đầu Đà means to renounce the three worldly pleasures: eating, clothing and sleeping). He stood on the left side of Buddha representing the immaterialistic conduct of Buddhism. After Buddha entered the Nirvana, he summoned all the Sanghas at Vương-Xá city to recite the Buddha's teachings. This was the first recital since Buddha entered Nirvana. He was the first disciple to be honored to receive the Buddha's garb and bowl, and the responsibility of leading the Sanghas to propagating Buddhism.
We, as Buddhists, always pay tribute to him by adoring, worshipping and living closely to his wishes.
Chánh Thiện
1. Ngài Ma Ha Ca Diếp - Ma-Ha Ca-Diep
3. Ngài Nguyên Thiều - NguyenThieu
5. Bốn Sự Thật Cao Thượng(Tứ Diệu Ðế) - The Four Noble Truths
7. Tám Chánh Ðạo - The Eight-Fold Noble Path
8. Kinh Mười Ðiều Thiện - The Sutra of The Ten good deeds
9. Thiện Ác Nghiệp Báo - Karma
10. Sáu Ðộ - The Six Perfections
11. Phép Quán Tưởng và Niệm Phật - The Methods of Meditating on Buddha
12. Bát Quan Trai - The Eight Retreat Precepts
13. Phật Giáo Việt Nam Từ Ðời Trần đến Cận Ðại - Buddhism in Vietnam from The Tran Dynasty to Present
14. Tình Thần Không Chấp Thủ, Tinh Thần Tùy Duyên Bất Biến