Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

""DevadattaMyths of the Hindus ^f BuddhistsBuddha charged the creature never to hurt anyone again,but to be kind to all ;and the elephant repeated the fivecommandments aloud in the presence of all the people;indeed, had he not been a four-legged creature he mighthave entered the path to Release. When the people sawthis wonder the noise of clapping and shouting was likethe sea or the thunder. They covered the elephant withjewels, and eighty-four thousand people entered the path.Not long after this Ajasat was converted and becamea supporter of Buddha s party. When Ajasat departedfrom the monastery after this event Buddha remarked:Had not the king murdered his father he might to-dayhave entered the first path. As it is, he will be saved fromthe lowest hell, where otherwise he must have remained awhole age. He will spend sixty thousand years in theother hells ;then after long ages spent with the gods he willbe born on earth and become a privateBuddha."Devadatta was now in disgrace, but hated Buddha all themore. However, he collected another band of disciples,five hundred in number. But Buddha sent two of hiswisest followers to preach to those of Devadatta; andwhile he slept they all departed to follow Buddha. Devadatta then fell ill, and remained so for nine months ; afterwhich he determined to go and seek Buddha s forgiveness.Buddha felt no ill-will toward Devadatta ;but he informedthe friars :will not see the Buddha ;so greatare his crimes that not even a thousand Buddhas could savehim." Devadatta, borne in his palanquin, came nearerand nearer to Buddha s monastery ;but when he set footto the ground at the entrance flames rose up from thelowest hell and wrapped his body in their folds, first hisfeet, then his middle, then his shoulders. He cried out toBuddha for help and repeated a verse of a hymn, by which282