1. Pansukulikanga: the practice of wearing robes made from thrown-away cloth.

          2. Tecivarikanga: the practice of using only one set of three robes.

          3. Pindapatikanga: the practice of going for alms.

4. Sapadacarikanga: the practice of not by-passing any donors on one's alms path.

5. Ekasanikanga: the practice of eating no more than one meal a day.

6. Pattapindikanga: the practice of eating one's food only from one's bowl.

7. Khalupacchabhattikanga: the practice of not accepting any food presented after one has eaten one's fill.

8. Araññikanga: the practice of living in the wilderness.

9. Rukkhamulikanga: the practice of living under the shade of a tree.

10. Abbhokasikanga: the practice of living out under the open sky.

11. Sosanikanga: the practice of living in a cemetery.

12. Yathasanthatikanga: the practice of living in whatever place is assigned to one.

13. Nesajjikanga: the practice of not lying down.

Note: the above practices are described in detail in the autobiography of Phra Ajaan Mun - copies may still be available from Palelai.

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Venerable Kassapa - The Foremost of Ascetic Practice Adherents

Venerable Maha Kassapa was the foremost among the Buddha's disciples who practiced the ascetic observances very strictly.  Here is a sutta telling us of his strict adherence even till old age and why he has been so strict with himself.

Samyutta Nikaya XVI.5

Jinna Sutta

"Old"

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Sanctuary. Then Ven. Maha Kassapa went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed One said to him, "You are now old, Kassapa. Your robes made of cast-off hemp rags are heavy for you. So wear robes donated by householders, eat invitational meals, and live close by me."

"Lord, for a long time I have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness. I have been an almsgoer and have extolled being an almsgoer. I have worn cast off rags and have extolled wearing cast off rags. I have worn only one set of the triple robe and have extolled wearing only one set of the triple robe. I have been modest and have extolled being modest. I have been content and have extolled being content. I have been reclusive and have extolled being reclusive. I have been unentangled and have extolled being unentangled. I have kept my persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused."

"But, Kassapa, what compelling reason do you see that you for a long time have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness... that you have kept your persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused?"

"Lord, I see two compelling reasons that for a long time I have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness... that I have kept my persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused: seeing a pleasant abiding for myself in the here & now, and feeling sympathy for later generations: 'Perhaps later generations will take it as an example: "It seems that the disciples of the Awakened One and those who awakened after him lived for a long time in the wilderness and extolled living in the wilderness; were almsgoers and extolled being almsgoers; wore cast off rags and extolled wearing cast off rags; wore only one set of the triple robe and extolled wearing only one set of the triple robe; were modest and extolled being modest; were content and extolled being content; were recluse and extolled being reclusive; were unentangled and extolled being unentangled; kept their persistence aroused and extolled having persistence aroused."'"

"Good, Kassapa. Very good. It seems that you are one who practices for the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare, benefit, & happiness of beings human & divine. So continue wearing your robes of cast off hemp cloth, go for alms, and live in the wilderness."

For a biography of Venerable Maha Kassapa, please see: Maha Kassapa: Father of the Sangha

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