________________
434
and won over 500 monks on his side. In the company of his monks, he started for Gayasisa on a Cărikā mission.
Sariputta and Moggalāna brought this event to the notice of the Buddha. The Buddha said,
"Sa riputta, Do you not feel any compassion for these new initiates? You should try to save them before they are in deeper water".
Sariputta and Moggalana started at once and came to Gayāsisa. Devadatta was then delivering a sermon before a vast assembly of men. He saw the two at a distance coming towards him. He became very happy and : said to his monks,
"You see how very well prescribed is my religion.. Being attracted by this, Sariputta and Moggalāna, the two stalwarts of the Buddha have broken away from the order and are coming to me. They have high regard for my way".
Kokālika lodged a mild protest against what Devadatta had said:
"Sir! Do't be so very cockish about Sāriputta and Moggalāna. They are sinfully inclined".
But Deva datta repeated what he had said earlier.
"No, we must welcome them. They have faith in my way".
By this time, Sāriputta and Moggalana had come nearer. Deva datta invited Sariputta to share his seat, but Sa riputta and Moggalana sat on separate cushions on one side. Meanwhile, Devadatta started his sermon for the monks. The sermon continued till very late hours in the night, but the monks were deeply absorbed in the flow of the discourse. On seeing this, Devadatta said to Sariputta,
"Abusa! At this time, the monks are free from fatigue and deceit and deeply concentrated in the holy dis course. I do not want to disturb their concentration. But I am already red and must retire now.
