1. Acela-Kassapa.-A naked ascetic. He visited the Buddha at Ujuññā in the Kanna-katthala deer-park and asked him if it were true that he disparaged all penance and reviled ascetics. Their conversation is recorded in the Kassapa-Sīhanāda Sutta (D.i.161ff). After the usual four months' probation, he joined the Order and in due course became an arahant (D.i.177; but according to DA.i.363 he was ordained forthwith).
In the Majjhima Nikāya (M.iii.124ff.; also AA.i.171) we are told that he was an old friend of Bakkula Thera, and that after a conversation with him obtained his ordination (under him).
See also Acela-Kassapa (3).
2. Acela-Kassapa.-An old family friend of Cittagapahati. Having been for thirty years a paribbājaka, he admits to Citta that he had thereby obtained no particular excellence of knowledge. Citta tells him of his own attainments and Kassapa expresses a desire to enter the Order. He is duly ordained, and shortly afterwards becomes an arahant. S.iv.300ff.
3. Acela-Kassapa.-The Kassapa mentioned in the Acela Sutta (S.ii.18f.; see also SA.ii.26f), probably to be identified with Acela-Kassapa (1), though the stories of their conversions are different.