Devadattaperson
5 discourses
Devadatta, a bhikkhu of the Buddha's own circle, is the canon's great warning about ambition. The Buddha traces his fall to a mind obsessed with acquisitions, respect, and popularity, which cuts off his wholesome root (SN 17.31–34). Not long after his departure, possessions, honor, and popularity are shown to have come to him for his own ruin — like the banana plant that bears fruit to its destruction (SN 17.35–36). The arc ends when he tells Ānanda he will observe the Uposatha separately from the Buddha and the Saṅgha, and the Buddha responds: evil is easily done by the bad, hard for the noble ones (UD 5.8).
Discourses
The Buddha describes how Devadatta caused a schism in the Saṅgha when his mind became obsessed with acquisitions, respect, and popularity.
PTS 2.239Devadatta’s wholesome root was cut off when his mind became obsessed with acquisitions, respect, and popularity.
PTS 2.240Devadatta’s wholesome nature was cut off when his mind became obsessed with acquisitions, respect, and popularity.
PTS 2.240Devadatta’s good qualities were cut off when his mind became obsessed with acquisitions, respect, and popularity.
PTS 2.240When venerable Ānanda reports Devadatta’s intention to split the Saṅgha, the Buddha speaks an inspired verse about the contrasting nature of good and evil deeds.
PTS 60