buddha daily wisdom image

an.8.7 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Devadatta’s Failing

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on Mount Vulture Peak not long after Devadatta had left. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus with reference to Devadatta:

“Bhikkhus, it is good for a bhikkhu from time to time to review his own failings. It is good for him from time to time to review the failings of others. It is good for him from time to time to review his own achievements. It is good for him from time to time to review the achievements of others. Because he was over come and obsessed by eight bad conditions, Devadatta is bound for the plane of misery, bound for hell, and he will remain there for an eon, unredeemable. What eight?

“(1) Because he was overcome and obsessed by gain, Devadatta is bound for the plane of misery, bound for hell, and he will remain there for an eon, unredeemable. (2) Because he was overcome and obsessed by loss … (3) … by fame … (4) … by disrepute … (5) … by honor … (6) … by lack of honor … (7) … by evil desires … (8) … by bad friendship, Devadatta is bound for the plane of misery, bound for hell, and he will remain there for an eon, unredeemable. Because he was overcome and obsessed by these eight bad conditions, Devadatta is bound for the plane of misery, bound for hell, and he will remain there for an eon, unredeemable.

“It is good for a bhikkhu to overcome gain whenever it arises. It is good for him to overcome loss whenever it arises … to overcome fame … disrepute … honor … lack of honor … evil desires … bad friendship whenever it arises.

“And for what reason should a bhikkhu overcome gain whenever it arises? For what reason should he overcome loss … fame … disrepute … honor … lack of honor … evil desires … bad friendship whenever it arises? Those taints, distressful and feverish, that might arise in one who has not overcome arisen gain do not occur in one who has overcome it. Those taints, distressful and feverish, that might arise in one who has not overcome arisen loss … arisen fame … arisen disrepute … arisen honor … arisen lack of honor … arisen evil desires … arisen bad friendship do not occur in one who has overcome it. For this reason a bhikkhu should overcome gain whenever it arises. He should overcome loss … fame … disrepute … honor … lack of honor … evil desires … bad friendship whenever it arises.

“Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will overcome gain whenever it arises. We will overcome loss … fame … disrepute … honor … lack of honor … evil desires … bad friendship whenever it arises.’ It is in such a way that you should train yourselves.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Devadatta’s Failure

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain, not long after Devadatta had left.
There the Buddha spoke to the mendicants about Devadatta:
“Mendicants, it’s good for a mendicant to check their own failings from time to time.
It’s good for a mendicant to check the failings of others from time to time.
It’s good for a mendicant to check their own successes from time to time.
It’s good for a mendicant to check the successes of others from time to time.
Overcome and overwhelmed by eight things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.
What eight?
Overcome and overwhelmed by gain …
loss …
fame …
disgrace …
honor …
dishonor …
wicked desires …
bad friendship, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.
Overcome and overwhelmed by these eight things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.
It’s good for a mendicant, whenever they encounter it, to overcome gain …
loss …
fame …
disgrace …
honor …
dishonor …
wicked desires …
bad friendship.
What advantage does a mendicant gain by overcoming these eight things?







The distressing and feverish defilements that might arise in someone who lives without overcoming these eight things do not arise when they have overcome them.







This is the advantage that a mendicant gains by overcoming these eight things.







So, mendicants, you should train like this:
‘Whenever we encounter it, we will overcome gain …
loss …
fame …
disgrace …
honor …
dishonor …
wicked desires …
bad friendship.’
That’s how you should train.”