Skt. Ka^/syapa. （1） A Vedic sage to whom numerous hymns， particularly creation hymns， are ascribed. （2） The Buddha of the world-age preceding the present one. （3） Maha^ka^/syapa 摩诃迦叶， a brahman of Magadha， who became one of the principal disciples of S/a^kyamuni and who convened and directed the first council， whence his name， "elder" （上座） is derived. （4） The sixth of the seven buddhas of the past.