Significance of Devadatta
Devadatta is a significant figure in various religious traditions, particularly in Buddhism. He is often portrayed as an adversary of the Buddha, notorious for attempting to kill him and causing schisms within the Sangha. His actions, fueled by envy and hostility, are seen as representations of wickedness and opposition to the Buddha's teachings. In other contexts, such as Jainism and Vaishnavism, Devadatta embodies various roles, highlighting the themes of devotion and social class diversity.
In Dutch: Devadatta; In German: Devadatta; In Finnish: Devadatta; In Spanish: Devadatta; In Swedish: Devadatta; In Malay: Devadatta; In French: Devadatta
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Devadatta'
Devadatta in Buddhism represents a complex antagonist characterized by moral corruption, jealousy, and betrayal. He embodies wickedness and opposition to the Buddha, influencing others negatively and serving as a cautionary figure against harmful intentions.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A character who went down into Hell and took with him five hundred families, ultimately facing consequences for his sinful actions.[1] (2) Identified as the sham ascetic in the conclusion of the story.[2] (3) A character who repudiated his teacher and became an adversary, representing a cautionary tale about rebellion against wisdom.[3] (4) A character described as harsh, cruel, and tyrannical, who acts against the Supreme Buddha.[4] (5) A character identified as the poor old doctor in the story, illustrating themes of malice and consequences.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A figure who acted out of wickedness, attempting to harm the Buddha by hurling a rock.[6] (2) The son of King Suppabuddha who joined the Order established by Gotama Buddha and later regarded the Buddha as his enemy.[7] (3) An opponent of the Buddha and leader of a faction that at times led monks astray from the Buddha鈥檚 teachings.[8] (4) A figure referenced in the verses who represents a negative example of a monk that wears the robe without being worthy, highlighting moral failings.[9] (5) A character who exhibited moral corruption and betrayal towards the Buddha and others, acting against virtue.[10]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) A figure in Buddhist texts known for creating a schism within the Order after being admitted, illustrating the complexities of karma and morality.[11] (2) An individual who bore a grudge against the Blessed One and was responsible for casting down a rock in an attempt to harm him.[12] (3) A figure who harbored hatred against the Tathagata and caused external harm by pushing a rock that led to the Blessed One's injury.[13] (4) A figure in Buddhist texts who is often portrayed as the Buddha's cousin and an antagonist, representing negative karma and schism.[14] (5) A character depicted as entirely wicked, representing evil dispositions and moral failures, often compared negatively to the Bodisat.[15]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) A character introduced later, Devadatta is seen meditating and is portrayed as seeking to gain favor and power through manipulation of Prince Ajatasattu.[16] (2) A figure in Buddhist history known for his attempts to undermine the Buddha's teachings and the unity of the Sangha.[17] (3) A monk who aspired to lead the Order and whose nature transformed, leading to conflict with the Lord and the community of monks.[18] (4) A character who enters Rajagaha and incites actions against the Lord by unleashing the fierce elephant Nalagiri.[19]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The personification of the rogue elephant, identified by the Buddha as a representation of hostility.[20] (2) A figure in Buddhist literature who was a monk that turned against the Buddha, attempting to lead a schism and ultimately caused harm to the Buddha.[21] (3) An evil friend of Ajatasattu who influenced him negatively and was a thorn in the side of the Buddha.[22]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks鈥� rules)
(1) One of the monks mentioned in the text who has controversial interactions regarding the acceptance of food.[23] (2) A figure who lost gain and honour and was criticized for eating with friends after asking among households.[24]
From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
(1) The main character who sets out for Rajagaha, assumes a child's form, and seeks to lead the Bhikkhu-samgha.[25] (2) A figure who opposed the Buddha and attempted to assert leadership over the Bhikkhu-samgha.[26]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) An evil-minded individual who misused his psychic powers to lead Ajatasattu astray, ultimately influencing him to commit patricide.[27] (2) A figure in Buddhist texts known for committing schism and suffering in hell as a consequence of his actions.[28]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) Devadatta is a figure known for opposing the Buddha, attempting to harm him, and causing a schism among the Samgha.[29]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) An adversary of the Buddha who plotted to kill him, demonstrating the Buddha's supreme forgiveness through the practices of mett谩.[30]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) An antagonist of the Buddha who was influenced by Sakkaya Ditthi to attempt to kill the Buddha.[31]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) One of the hunters in the tale, symbolic of the adversaries encountered by the Buddha on his path.[32] (2) A figure symbolizing wickedness, often associated with opposition to the Bodhisattva ideal.[33] (3) A figure who attempted to harm the Buddha by pushing a rock down on him, symbolizing the enmity and challenges the Buddha faced.[34] (4) A figure in Buddhist tradition who is described as being lost due to greed, serving as a cautionary example.[35] (5) The son of king Hou fan (Dronodana) who left home to practice the Path and sought supernatural powers.[36]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) A figure who exhibited great strength by killing an elephant with one blow, causing public attention.[37] (2) Devadatta is one of the Shakyan princes who left home, but a diviner foretold that he would not succeed in his intended purpose.[38] (3) Another brother of the Bodhisattva who also seeks to woo Yashodhara.[39]
From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)
(1) A character who is revealed to have been a friend of the Lord in a past existence and is linked to the teachings shared in the text.[40]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) An example cited to discuss the capabilities of an individual in childhood, used to illustrate concepts in the argument regarding Probans.[41] (2) An example of a single person whose I-notions can be analyzed in relation to the discussed concepts.[42] (3) An example used to illustrate a point about differentiation; representing a substance distinct from others and emphasized through comparison with a stick.[43] (4) A single person used as an example to illustrate the Mimamsaka argument regarding identity and movement across spaces.[44] (5) A specific word used in the context to illustrate how articulate sounds can be distinctly perceived.[45]
Hindu concept of 'Devadatta'
Devadatta in Hinduism serves multiple interpretations: from a proper noun illustrating sampradana, to a significant conch shell, and a character representing actions, existence, and various philosophical concepts, reflecting the complexity of identity and action.
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) A person referenced in the text who is metaphorically cooking, representing actions leading to a final result.[46] (2) A specific example referenced in the context of comparison, which requires additional qualifiers to clarify the relationship being discussed.[47] (3) A character mentioned in the commentary whose killing is analogized to emphasize the surprise of contact with the bandit, reflecting the theme of unexpected encounters.[48] (4) A proper noun referring to the person who consumes the barley gruel after it has been made tasty.[49] (5) One of the individuals referenced in the discussion about the presence of darkness and samanya.[50]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A conch shell with tremendous roars used to create sound in the narrative.[51] (2) Another conch shell used in the battle, associated with the battle cries of heroes.[52] (3) A large conch-shell retrieved by Maya, known for its loud sound and significant enough to instill fear in all creatures.[53]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A famous Brahmin from the country of Kosala who performed the Puttreshti sacrifice to obtain children.[54]
From: Prashna Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary
(1) A man used in the example to illustrate the state of sleep, during which he is described as being unaware and inactive.[55]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A hypothetical individual used as an example to illustrate the apparent properties of being born, moving, and possessing qualities, despite the true nature of Consciousness.[56]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Adhik. X (16) teaches that expressions such as 'this person is born,' 'this person has died,' strictly apply to the body only, and are transferred to the soul in so far only as it is connected with a body.[57]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) The name of the vina, an ancient stringed instrument, which is given to Narada by Goddess Sarasvati.[58]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) One of Govindadatta's sons who undertakes austere practices and seeks knowledge, ultimately leading to a romantic entanglement.[59]
Jain concept of 'Devadatta'
In Jainism, Devadatta symbolizes devotion across social classes, represented by a hunchbacked slave-girl performing Arhat rituals. Additionally, her disappearance influences King Udayana's urgency, reflecting the intertwined fates within society.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A slave mentioned in the context of her disappearance, contributing to King Udayana's urgent actions.[60] (2) A hunchbacked slave-girl who performs rituals for the image of the Arhat, indicating the devotion that exists within diverse social classes.[61]
The concept of Devadatta in local and regional sources
Devadatta is depicted as a jealous disciple of Buddha who attempted to harm him through poisoning and disturbances. His actions illustrate significant conflicts within the Buddhist community and the consequences of envy and malice.
From: The travels of Fa-Hian (400 A.D.)
(1) The stone cell located northeast of the old city, referenced in the context of meditative practices.[62] (2) A figure known for his attempts to challenge Buddha, including poisoning and subsequently facing dire consequences.[63] (3) An individual who caused a disturbance by rolling a stone down the mountain, highlighting conflict within the Buddhist community.[64]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) A disciple of Buddha who sought to kill him out of envy and suffered for his evil intentions.[65]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) Devadatta is the father of Nityananda, according to the provided text.[66]