Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

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

Page 73

Dr. K. P. Jayaswal
Then Devadatta, having split the Order, set out for Gaya Head taking as many as the five hundred monks. Then Sariputta and Moggallāna approached the Lord;
******
"Can there not be for you, Sariputta and Moggallāna compassion for these newly ordained monks? Go you along, Sariputta and Moggallana, before these monks fall into trouble and distress."
53
"Very well, Lord," and Sariputta and Moggallāna having answered the Lord in assent, rising from their seats, having greeted the Lord, keeping their right sides towards him, approached Gaya Head.
Then Sariputta and Moggallana, taking those five hundred monks approached the Bamboo Grove.
"Then the Lord addressed the monks, saying:... Monks because he is possessed of these eight qualities, Sariputta is fit to go a message.
"Monks, Devadatta, overcome and his mind controlled by eight wrong conditions, is doomed to the Downfall, to Niraya Hell, staying there for an aeon, incurable.
Mahavira had asked Abhaya Kumāra to question Buddha regarding the propriety of the harsh words spoken by Buddha to Devadatta. The question to be asked by Abhaya Kumara was framed thus: 'Can the Blessed One (Buddha) utter the words which are unpleasant to others?' If Buddha would have answered in negative, the cross-question was going to be: 'Then, why did the Blessed One utter harsh words to Devadatta ?' On the other hand, if Buddha would have replied to the above question in affirmative, the cross question would have been : 'Then, what is the difference between a layman and the Blessed One?
"The above occasion points out that Mahavīra should