1. Kappa.-One of Bávarí's disciples. The questions he asked of the Buddha are recorded in the Kappamánavapucchá (q.v.). He became an arahant. Sn.vv.1007, 1092-5; SnA.ii.597.
2. Kappa Thera.-An arahant. He was the son of a provincial governor in Magadha and was addicted to self-indulgence. The Buddha, seeing him in his net of wisdom, visited him and admonished him, speaking to him of the filthy nature of the body, illustrating his sermon with a wealth of simile and metaphor. Kappa was greatly impressed and joined the Order. He became an arahant, as his head was being shaved. In the time of the Buddha Siddhattha he was a rich householder, and offered at the Buddha's shrine a kapparukkha containing objects of great value. Wherever he was born celestial trees grew outside his door. Seven kappas ago he was eight times king under the name of Sucela (Thag.567-76; ThagA.i.521ff). He is probably identical with Kapparukkhiya of the Apadána. Ap.i.91.
3. Kappa.-In the Samyutta Nikáya (S.iii.169f) two suttas are connected with a monk called Kappa, who is probably identical with Kappa (2). In both suttas he asks the Buddha how it is possible to cultivate knowledge and thought so as to be free from thoughts of "I" and "mine" with regard to the body. The same questions, receiving the same answers, are elsewhere attributed to Ráhula. S.ii.253f.
4. Kappa.-A young brahmin (Kappakamára) who was the Bodhisatta. He later became a sage and the disciple and friend of Kesava. For his story see the Kesava Játaka (J.iii.142ff). The story is also referred to in the Bakabrahma Játaka (J.iii.361; DhA.i.342f), and mentioned in the Samyutta Nikaya (S.i.144; SA.i.164; MA.i.555), where Bakabrahma is identified with Kappa's teacher, Kesava. v.l. Kappaka.
5. Kappa.-See Nigrodha-Kappa.