English
Being pure in knowledge and vision, I declare, 'I am pure in knowledge and vision,' And 'My knowledge and vision are pure, Clear, unblemished.' And my disciples do not protect me Regarding my knowledge and vision; Nor do I expect protection From my disciples Regarding my knowledge and vision. 335. Then the Blessed One, Having stayed in Kosambī As long as he wished, Set out on tour Towards Rājagaha. Traveling by stages, He arrived at Rājagaha. There the Blessed One stayed At Rājagaha, In the Bamboo Grove, The Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Then a number of bhikkhus Approached the Blessed One, And having approached And paid homage to him, Sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Those bhikkhus said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, Prince Ajātasattu goes to attend on Devadatta With five hundred chariots Morning and evening; And five hundred bowls of cooked rice Are brought as an offering of food." "Do not, bhikkhus, Envy Devadatta His gains, honor, and fame. As long as, bhikkhus, Prince Ajātasattu goes to attend on Devadatta With five hundred chariots Morning and evening, And five hundred bowls of cooked rice Are brought as an offering of food, Decline, bhikkhus, Is to be expected for Devadatta In wholesome states, Not growth." Just as, bhikkhus, If they were to break open The gall bladder of a fierce dog Into its nose, So Indeed, monks, that dog would be exceedingly fierce. Even so, monks, as long as Prince Ajātasattu will go to Devadatta's attendance morning and evening with five hundred chariots, and five hundred pots of cooked rice will be brought as food offerings, only decline, monks, is to be expected for Devadatta in wholesome states, not growth. For his own destruction, monks, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta; for his ruin, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta. Just as, monks, a plantain tree bears fruit for its own destruction, bears fruit for its ruin, even so, monks, for his own destruction, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta; for his ruin, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta. Just as, monks, a bamboo bears fruit for its own destruction, bears fruit for its ruin, even so, monks, for his own destruction, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta; for his ruin, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta. Just as, monks, a reed bears fruit for its own destruction, bears fruit for its ruin, even so, monks, for his own destruction, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta; for his ruin, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta. Just as, monks, a she-mule conceives a fetus for its own destruction, conceives a fetus for its ruin, even so, monks, for his own destruction, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta; for his ruin, gain, honor, and fame arose for Devadatta. Indeed, fruit kills the plantain, fruit kills the bamboo, fruit kills the reed; Honor kills the evil person, just as a fetus kills the she-mule. The first recitation section is finished. 2. The second recitation section The Act of Proclamation 336. Now at that time the Blessed One was surrounded by a large assembly. he was sitting teaching the Dhamma to an assembly including the king. Then Devadatta rose from his seat, arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, and, bowing with clasped hands towards the Blessed One, said to the Blessed One: "Now, venerable sir, the Blessed One is old, aged, advanced in years, having reached the end of his life. Let the Blessed One, venerable sir, dwell with little trouble, devoted to a pleasant abiding in this very life. Entrust the community of bhikkhus to me. I will manage the community of bhikkhus." "Enough, Devadatta, do not desire to manage the community of bhikkhus." A second time Devadatta... A third time Devadatta said to the Blessed One: "Now, venerable sir, the Blessed One is old, aged, advanced in years, having reached the end of his life. Let the Blessed One, venerable sir, dwell with little trouble, devoted to a pleasant abiding in this very life. Entrust the community of bhikkhus to me. I will manage the community of bhikkhus." "I would not entrust the community of bhikkhus, Devadatta, even to Sāriputta and Moggallāna, much less to you, a wretched spittle-licker!" Then Devadatta, thinking, "The Blessed One disparages me in an assembly including the king with the term 'spittle-licker,' and exalts Sāriputta and Moggallāna," angered and displeased, bowed to the Blessed One, circumambulated him, and departed. This was Devadatta's first grudge against the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Therefore, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha perform an act of proclamation concerning Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now his nature is another. Whatever Devadatta does by body or by speech, that should not be seen as the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha; only Devadatta should be seen by that.' And thus, bhikkhus, it should be done. A competent and able bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha: 337. "May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, listen to me. If it is agreeable to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should perform an act of proclamation concerning Devadatta in Rājagaha— should do: "Formerly Devadatta's nature was otherwise, now his nature is otherwise. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or speech, by that the Buddha, or the Dhamma, or the Saṅgha should not be seen; by that only Devadatta should be seen." This is the motion. "May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. The Saṅgha performs the act of proclamation concerning Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was otherwise, now his nature is otherwise. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or speech, by that the Buddha, or the Dhamma, or the Saṅgha should not be seen; by that only Devadatta should be seen.' To whichever venerable one it is agreeable that the act of proclamation concerning Devadatta in Rājagaha be performed: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was otherwise, now his nature is otherwise. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or speech, by that the Buddha, or the Dhamma, or the Saṅgha should not be seen; by that only Devadatta should be seen' – let him be silent; whoever does not agree, let him speak." "The Saṅgha has performed the act of proclamation concerning Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was otherwise, now his nature is otherwise. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or speech, by that the Buddha, or the Dhamma, or the Saṅgha should not be seen; by that only Devadatta should be seen.' It is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent. Thus I hold this." 338. Then the Blessed One addressed Venerable Sāriputta: "In that case, Sāriputta, you should proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha." "Formerly, venerable sir, I spoke praise of Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Godhiputta is greatly powerful, Godhiputta is greatly influential.' How, venerable sir, shall I proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha?" "Did you not, Sāriputta, speak true praise of Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Godhiputta is greatly powerful, Godhiputta is greatly influential'?" "Yes, venerable sir." "Even so, Sāriputta, you should proclaim Devadatta as he truly is in Rājagaha." "Yes, venerable sir," Venerable Sāriputta replied to the Blessed One. He heard. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha appoint Sāriputta to proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now it is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or by speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen through that; only Devadatta should be seen through that.' And thus, bhikkhus, it should be appointed. First, Sāriputta should be requested. Having requested, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha: "May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. If it is suitable for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha would appoint Venerable Sāriputta to proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now it is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or by speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen through that; only Devadatta should be seen through that.' This is the motion. "May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. The Saṅgha appoints Venerable Sāriputta to proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now it is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or by speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen through that; only Devadatta should be seen through that.' To whomever among the venerable ones this appointment of Venerable Sāriputta to proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha is agreeable: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now it is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or by speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen through that; only Devadatta should be seen through that' – let him be silent. Whoever is not agreeable, let him speak. "Venerable Sāriputta has been appointed by the Saṅgha to proclaim Devadatta in Rājagaha: 'Formerly Devadatta's nature was one thing, now it is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or by speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen through that; only Devadatta should be seen through that.' The Saṅgha is agreeable, therefore it is silent." , I hold it thus.’’ And Venerable Sāriputta, together with many bhikkhus, entered Rājagaha and proclaimed Devadatta in Rājagaha: ‘‘Formerly Devadatta’s nature was one way, now his nature is another. Whatever Devadatta might do by body or speech, the Buddha, Dhamma, or Saṅgha should not be seen in that; only Devadatta should be seen in that.’’ Thereupon, those people who were faithless, displeased, and foolish, said this: ‘‘These Sakyan ascetics are jealous of Devadatta’s gains and honor.’’ But those people who were faithful, pleased, discerning, skilled, and intelligent, said this: ‘‘This will not be a trivial matter, that the Blessed One should have Devadatta proclaimed in Rājagaha.’’ The Story of Prince Ajātasattu 339. Then Devadatta approached Prince Ajātasattu.