(Mv.II.5.3) [153] Now on that occasion Ven. Mahā Kappina was staying near Rājagaha, in the Maddakucchi Game Reserve. Then, as Ven. Mahā Kappina was alone in seclusion, this train of thought arose in his awareness: “Whether I go or don’t go to the Uposatha, whether I go or don’t go to the Saṅgha transaction, I’m still pure with the foremost purity.”

(Mv.II.5.4) Then the Blessed One, realizing with his awareness the line of thinking in Ven. Mahā Kappina’s awareness — just as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — disappeared from Vulture Peak Mountain and re-appeared in the Maddakucchi Game Reserve, right in front of Ven. Mahā Kappina. The Blessed One sat down on a seat laid out. Ven. Mahā Kappina, having bowed down to the Blessed One, also sat down to one side.

(Mv.II.5.5) As he was sitting there, the Blessed One said to him, “Kappina, didn’t this train of thought arise in your awareness as you were alone in seclusion: ‘Should I go to the Uposatha or not? Should I go to the Saṅgha transaction or not? Because I am pure with the foremost purity.’”

“Yes, lord.”

“If you brahmans don’t honor, respect, venerate, and do homage to the Uposatha, then who would honor, respect, venerate, and do homage to the Uposatha? Come, brahman, go to the Uposatha, don’t not go. Go to the Saṅgha transaction, don’t not go.”

“As you say, lord,” Ven. Mahā Kappina responded to the Blessed One.

(Mv.II.5.6) Then the Blessed One, having instructed, urged, roused, & encouraged Ven. Mahā Kappina with Dhamma talk — just as a strong man might extend his flexed arm or flex his extended arm — disappeared from the Maddakucchi Game Reserve, right in front of Ven. Mahā Kappina, and re-appeared on Vulture Peak Mountain.