Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

Author(s): Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 71

Dr. K. P. Jayaswal
datta : “Come, we, your reverences, will make a schism in the recluse Gotama's Order a breaking of the concord.”
“Then Devadatta together with his friends approached the Lord; having approached, having greeted the Lord, he set down at a respectful distance, Devadatta spoke thus to the Lord : Lord the 'Lord in many a figure speaks in praise of desiring little......whoever should eat fish and flesh, sin would besmirch him.”
“'Enough, Devadatta', he said. “Whoever wishes, let him be a forest dweller;whoever wishes; let him stay in the neighbourhood of a village whoever wishes, let him be a beggar for alms; whoever wishes, let him accept an invitation; whoever wishes, let him be a reg-robe wearer; whoever wishes, let him accept a householder's robes. For eight months Devadatta, lodging at the root of a tree is permitted by me. Fish and flesh are pure in respect of three points : if they are not seen, heard or suspected (to have been killed on purpose for him).”
Then Devadatta, thinking "The Lord does not permit these five items joyful, elated, rising from his seat with his friends, having greeted the Lord, departed keeping his right side towards him. Then Davadatta having entered Rājagļha with his friends, taught the people by means of the five items, saying: 'We, friends, having approached the recluse Gotama, asked for five items, saying: 'Lord, the Lord in many a figure speaks in praise of desiring little.'......'
"Monks heard these people who.....spread it about. Those who were modest monks......spread it about, saying:
“How can this Devadatta go forward with a schism in the Order, a breaking of the concord ?' Then these monks told this matter to the Lord. He said : 'is it true, as is