Coomaraswamy, Ananda Kentish: Buddha and the gospel of buddhism (London, 1916)

Buddha & the Gospel of Buddhism
permanent attendant of the Buddha.1 It was not, however,
until after the Buddha’s death that Ananda attained to
Arahatta.
The Enmity of Devadatta
In the picture of Buddha’s daily life described a few
pages previously, mention is made of Ajatasattu, King of
Magadha. This Ajatasattu was the son of Bimbisara, the
chief of the Buddha’s royal supporters. When Ajatasattu
was conceived, it was indicated by an omen and a prophecy
that he would be the slayer of his father. And this came
to pass at the instigation of Devadatta. One day when
the Buddha was teaching in the Bambu Grove, Devadatta
proposed that because of the Master’s advanced age,
the leadership of the Congregation should be vested in
himself. From the time when this suggestion was plainly
refused, Devadatta’s enmity and ill-will greatly increased.
Because of what had taken place the Buddha issued a
decree against Devadatta as a renegade whose words
were not to be recognized as proceeding from the Buddha,
the Law, or the Community. The angry Devadatta now
betook himself to Ajatasattu, King Bimbisara’s son and
heir, and persuaded him to murder his father and usurp
the throne, while Devadatta should kill the Master and
become Buddha. Bimbisara however discovered his
son’s intention, and so far from punishing him in any way,
abdicated the throne and gave over the kingdom to his
son. Nevertheless, upon Devadatta’s representing that
Bimbisara might desire to recover the throne, Ajatasattu
brought about his death by starvation.
1 Personal service on the Buddha implied to bring his water and tooth-
brush, wash his feet, accompany him abroad, bear his bowl and cloak,
sweep his cell, and act as chamberlain.
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