Kassapasīhanāda Sutta
Kassapasīhanāda Sutta:The eighth sutta of the Digha Nikāya.It consists of a dialogue between the Buddha and Acela-Kassapa on self-mortification,and contains an account of some of the practices prevalent among the ājīvakas.
The Buddha claims that the insight and self-control and self-mastery of the arahant are much harder of attainment than the merely physical practices of the ascetics,which are far more evident to the vulgar.The Buddha states that self-mortification is an actual hindrance to spiritual development,for it turns a man’s mind from more essential matters.
It is said that at the conclusion of the Sutta,Kassapa entered the Order and,in due course,became an arahant.D.i.161-77.