Devadatta (in Hinduism and Buddhism) Skt., lit. “God-given.”
(In Hinduism) 1. a prāna-stream created by yawning in order to supply oxygen to the body in a state of exhaustion; 2. the name of Arjuna’s conch; 3 . the name of the white horse that Kalki will ride.
(In Hinduism and Zen) cousin of the Buddha Shākyamuni, who joined the sangha after hearing a discourse of the Buddha. He became a highly respected member of the Buddhist community. Eight years before the death of the Buddha, however, he tried himself to become the head of the Buddhist order and planned to murder the Buddha. The attempt failed. Thereupon he brought about a schism among the monks of Vaishālī.
In his assassination plan Devadatta could reckon with the help of the king of Magadha, Ajātasattu.
They had three attacks on the Buddha carried out: The first time, they hired a group of assassins, but these were so impressed by the Buddha that they became his followers. The second time, they tried to crush the Buddha with a boulder; however, the boulder stopped before it reached the Buddha. In their last attempt they set a wild elephant on him; the elephant, however, was tamed by the Buddha’s kindness of mind.
Devadatta brought about the schism among the monks of Vaishālī by advocating rigorous asceticism and accusing the Buddha ofliving a pampered life. The Buddha left the choice to the monks which way to follow. Devadatta succeeded in getting 500 newly ordained monks on his side. At his death, however, Devadatta is reported to have said that the Buddha was his only refuge (trisharana). According to legend he was condemned to long sufferings in the hells.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
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