Devadatta and the Buddha

AI Overview

Yes, according to traditional Buddhist accounts, the Buddha and Devadatta met in person many times . Devadatta was the Buddha's cousin and brother-in-law, and he joined the monastic order along with other members of the Shakya clan. Their story involves a dramatic rivalry that unfolded during the Buddha's lifetime.

Their relationship started in the Shakya clan:

Devadatta was a cousin of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became the Buddha.

He was also the brother of Yasodhara, the Buddha's wife, making him the Buddha's brother-in-law.

Their encounters as monks:

Devadatta joined the monastic order (the sangha) alongside other princes, including the Buddha's personal attendant, Ananda.

Initially, Devadatta was an exemplary monk and even developed psychic powers. However, his ambition and jealousy of the Buddha grew over time, corrupting him.

In front of a large assembly, Devadatta publicly asked the Buddha to retire and appoint him as the new leader of the sangha, an offer the Buddha harshly rejected.

Later in their lives, Devadatta attempted to harm the Buddha in person on multiple occasions:

The assassination plot: When his hired assassins failed, Devadatta tried to kill the Buddha himself by rolling a boulder down on him from a mountain. The attempt failed, but a splinter injured the Buddha's foot.

The elephant incident: Devadatta got a wild elephant drunk and released it to charge the Buddha during an alms round. However, the Buddha's aura of loving-kindness calmed the elephant, and it knelt respectfully before him.

The schism: As a last resort, Devadatta tried to split the sangha by proposing stricter rules of asceticism, knowing the Buddha would not make them compulsory. He succeeded in convincing 500 newly ordained monks to follow him, but the Buddha's two chief disciples later persuaded them to return.

Ultimately, Devadatta tried to make amends but died before seeing the Buddha one last time. As he was being carried to the Buddha's location, the earth swallowed him into hell for his evil deeds.