Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c12.1287

v1.c12.1287

26. The *Sāsanavaṃsa*¹ mentions a Kassapa Thera of Arimaddana, in the time of King Narapati. While on tour he reached a country called Pollañka, where the people grew very fond of him and where he became known as Pollañka Thera. Some time later he was crossing to Ceylon and the vessel in which he was refused to move. Lots were drawn, as it was necessary to discover who aboard the vessel was the sinner. The lot fell repeatedly on Kassapa, because, in a former life, he had harassed a dog in the water. He was accordingly thrown overboard, but was rescued by Sakka, in the form of a crocodile. The thera reached Yakkhadīpa (q.v.) and there, as a result of practising compassion, the blind yakkhas gained their sight. Kassapa went later to Sīhaladīpa, whence he returned home with relics and seeds of the Bodhi-tree and models of the Mahācetiya and Lohapāsāda.