Ākappa

Renderings

• ākappa: behaviour

• ākappa: way of behaviour

• anākappasampanna: badly behaved

• ākappasampanno: perfect in behaviour

• na ākappasampanno: imperfect in behaviour

Illustrations

Illustration: anākappasampannā, badly behaved

Now at that time bhikkhus, being without preceptors, not being advised and instructed, walked for almsfood wrongly dressed, wrongly clothed, and badly behaved.
☸ anupajjhāyakā anovadiyamānā ananusāsiyamānā dunnivatthā duppārutā anākappasampannā piṇḍāya caranti (Vin.1.44).

Comment:

The bhikkhus were asking donors for food without invitation, and eating noisily.

Illustration: anākappasampannā, badly behaved

Now at that time the Group-of-Six bhikkhus, went into a refectory wrongly dressed, wrongly clothed, and badly behaved
☸ dunnivatthā duppārutā anākappasampannā bhattaggaṃ gacchanti (Vin.2.211-2).

Comment:

The bhikkhus were crowding other bhikkhus, and sitting inside the village on their outer robes.

Illustration: ākappasampanno, perfect in behaviour

It is rare to find one gone forth (into the ascetic life) in old age (buḍḍhapabbajito) who is perfect in behaviour.
☸ dullabho ākappasampanno (A.3.78).

Illustration: na ākappasampanno, imperfect in behaviour

A resident bhikkhu is not to be esteemed (abhāvanīyo hoti) if he is imperfect in behaviour and in the practice of observances;
☸ Na ākappasampanno hoti na vattasampanno (A.3.261).

Regarding the practice of observances, the Buddha said, for example:

―’Well then I will lay down an observance for bhikkhus who are leaving a residence and which should be observed by bhikkhus who are leaving a residence.’
☸ Tena hi bhikkhave gamikānaṃ bhikkhūnaṃ vattaṃ paññāpessāmi yathā gamikehi bhikkhū hi vattitabbaṃ (Vin.2.211).

Illustration: ākappa, behaviour

This is a certain type of gain, namely, good behaviour.
☸ Addhamidaṃ bhikkhave lābhānaṃ yadidaṃ ākappasampadā (A.1.38).

Illustration: ākappā, way of behaviour

Tell me this, being asked: in future times, what will be (the bhikkhus’ and bhikkhunīs’) desires, aspirations, and ways of behaviour?
☸ Kiṃchandā kimadhippāyā kimākappā bhavissare
Anāgatamhi kālamhi taṃ me akkhāhi pucchito (Th.v.950).

Illustration: ākappo, way of behaviour

One who has gone forth (into the ascetic life) should frequently reflect: ‘My way of behaviour should now be different (to laypeoples’).’
☸ Añño me ākappo karaṇīyo ti pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ (A.5.88).

Comment:

The Samaṇasaññā Sutta says this reflection leads to consistently virtuous behaviour
☸ Santatakārī hoti santatavutti sīlesu (A.5.210).

Illustration: ākappaṃ, way of behaviour

He develops the dog-practice fully and uninterruptedly.
☸ kukkuravataṃ bhāveti paripuṇṇaṃ abbokiṇṇaṃ

He develops doglike conduct fully and uninterruptedly;
☸ kukkurasīlaṃ bhāveti paripuṇṇaṃ abbokiṇṇaṃ

He develops a doglike mentality fully and uninterruptedly;
☸ kukkuracittaṃ bhāveti paripuṇṇaṃ abbokiṇṇaṃ

He develops a doglike way of behaviour fully and uninterruptedly.
☸ kukkurākappaṃ bhāveti paripuṇṇaṃ abbokiṇṇaṃ

Having done so, with the demise of the body at death, he reappears in the company of dogs (M.1.387-8).

Illustration: ākappaṃ, way of behaviour

A woman contemplates the femininity in herself, the feminine occupation, ways of behaviour, manners, desires, voice, and attractiveness. She is excited by that, she takes delight in that.
Itthi bhikkhave ajjhattaṃ itthindriyaṃ manasikaroti itthikuttaṃ itthākappaṃ itthividhaṃ itthicchandaṃ itthissaraṃ itthālaṅkāraṃ sā tattha rajjati tatrābhiramati.

Being thus excited and delighted, she contemplates the masculinity about her, the masculine occupation, ways of behaviour, manners, desires, voice, and attractiveness. She is excited by that, she takes delight in that (A.4.57).