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VII, 3, 4.
DISSENSIONS IN THE ORDER.
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sight, spake thus: This cannot be any ordinary affair, in that the Blessed One has had Devadatta proclaimed throughout Râgagaha!'
4. And Devadatta went to Agâtasattu the prince, and said to him: In former days, prince, people were long-lived, but now their term of life is short. It is quite possible, therefore, that you may complete your time while you are still a prince. So do you, prince, kill your father, and become the Râga; and I will kill the Blessed One, and become the Buddha.'
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And prince Agâtasattu thought, 'This worthy Devadatta has great powers and might; he will know (what is right).' And fastening a dagger against his thigh, he entered with violence and at an unusual hours, though fearful, anxious, excited, and alarmed, the royal chamber. And when the ministers who were in attendance in the private chamber saw that, they seized him. And when, on searching him, they found the dagger fastened on his thigh, they asked him :
'What were you going to do, O prince?' 'I wanted to kill my father.'
'Who incited you to this?' 'The worthy Devadatta.'
Then some of the ministers advised 'The prince should be slain, and Devadatta, and all the Bhikkhus.' Others of them advised 'The Bhikkhus ought not to be slain, for they have done no wrong;
Na orakam bhavissati. See Mahâvagga I, 9, 1, and Kullavagga VI, 4, 10, and our note on the latter passage.
'Potthanikam. This word has already occurred at Mahavagga VI, 23, 3.
Divâdivassa. See the use of this word at Gâtaka II, 1.
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