妙法蓮華經文句 1.118

1.118

如來去後法付迦葉，能為一切而作依止，猶如如來。何者？若有頭陀苦行人，我法則存；若無此人，我法則不存。迦葉能荷負佛法令得久住，至未來佛，付法、授衣竟，然後入滅，故言持法大。

After the Tathāgata departed, he entrusted the Dharma to Kāśyapa, who was able to serve as a refuge for all, just like the Tathāgata. How so? 'If there are practitioners of dhūta and austerities, my Dharma will survive; if there are no such persons, my Dharma will not survive.' Kāśyapa was able to shoulder the Buddha's Dharma to make it abide long, and up to the future Buddha, having completed entrusting the Dharma and bestowing the robe, he will only then enter cessation. Hence he is spoken of as having greatness in upholding the Dharma.