About Devadatta · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Tīhi, bhikkhave, asaddhammehi abhibhūto pariyādinnacitto devadatto āpāyiko nerayiko kappaṭṭho atekiccho. Katamehi tīhi? Pāpicchatāya, bhikkhave, abhibhūto pariyādinnacitto devadatto āpāyiko nerayiko kappaṭṭho atekiccho. Pāpamittatāya, bhikkhave, abhibhūto pariyādinnacitto devadatto āpāyiko nerayiko kappaṭṭho atekiccho. Sati kho pana uttarikaraṇīye oramattakena visesādhigamena antarā vosānaṁ āpādi. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi asaddhammehi abhibhūto pariyādinnacitto devadatto āpāyiko nerayiko kappaṭṭho atekiccho”ti. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
“Mendicants, overcome and overwhelmed by three things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable. What three? Corrupt wishes … Bad friendship … When there is still more to be done, stopping half-way after achieving some trifling distinction. Overcome and overwhelmed by these three things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:
“Mā jātu koci lokasmiṁ, pāpiccho udapajjatha; Tadamināpi jānātha, pāpicchānaṁ yathā gati.
“Let none of wicked desire ever be reborn into this world. And by this too you should know the place where those of corrupt wishes go.
Paṇḍitoti samaññāto, bhāvitattoti sammato; Jalaṁva yasasā aṭṭhā, devadattoti vissuto.
He once was considered astute, deemed to be evolved, his glory stood forth like a flame, the renowned Devadatta.
So samānamanuciṇṇo, āsajja naṁ tathāgataṁ; Avīcinirayaṁ patto, catudvāraṁ bhayānakaṁ.
Seduced by heedlessness, he attacked the Realized One. He has fallen to Avīci hell, four-doored and terrifying.
Aduṭṭhassa hi yo dubbhe, pāpakammaṁ akubbato; Tameva pāpaṁ phusati, duṭṭhacittaṁ anādaraṁ.
When someone betrays the innocent, who have done no wrong, their bad deeds impact the one with corrupt heart, lacking regard for others.
Samuddaṁ visakumbhena, yo maññeyya padūsituṁ; Na so tena padūseyya, bhesmā hi udadhi mahā.
One might think to pollute the ocean with a pot of poison, but it wouldn’t work, for the sea is terribly large.
Evamevaṁ tathāgataṁ, yo vādena vihiṁsati; Sammaggataṁ santacittaṁ, vādo tamhi na rūhati.
So too when someone attacks with words the Realized One— rightly comported, of peaceful mind— the words don’t take.
Tādisaṁ mittaṁ kubbetha, tañca seveyya paṇḍito; Yassa maggānugo bhikkhu, khayaṁ dukkhassa pāpuṇe”ti.
The astute would befriend one like this, and follow them around. A mendicant who walks the path attains the ending of suffering.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti. Dasamaṁ. Catuttho vaggo.
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.
Tassuddānaṁ Vitakkāsakkārasadda, cavanaloke asubhaṁ; Dhammaandhakāramalaṁ, devadattena te dasāti.
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