Kāśyapa or Mahākāśyapa

Mahākāśyapa, a brahman of Magadha, who became one of the principal disciples of Śākyamuni, and after his death became leader of the disciples. He also initiated and directed the First Council, whence his title Ārya Sthavira (上坐, lit. chairman) is derived. He is accounted the chief of the ascetics before the enlightenment; the first compiler of the canon and the first patriarch.

Also one of the four great disciples 四大弟子 of the Buddha — Śāriputra, Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Subhūti, and Mahākāśyapa. Another group is Mahākāśyapa, Piṇḍola, Rāhula, and ? Kauṇḍinya.

金色迦葉 金色尊者; 金色頭陀 are names for Mahākāśyapa, as he is said to have 飮光 swallowed light, hence his golden hue.

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