iti.89 Itivuttaka

About Devadatta

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, overcome and overwhelmed by three things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.
What three?
Wicked desires …
Bad friendship …
When there is still more to be done, stopping half-way after achieving some insignificant distinction.
Overcome and overwhelmed by these three things that oppose the true teaching, Devadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Surely, none of wicked desire
are reborn into this world.
And by this too you should know
the place where those of wicked desires go.
He once was considered astute,
regarded as evolved,
his glory stood forth like a flame,
the renowned Devadatta.
Seduced by heedlessness,
he attacked the Realized One.
He has fallen to Avīci hell,
four-doored and terrifying.
When someone betrays the innocent,
who have done no wrong,
their bad deeds impact the one
with corrupt heart, lacking regard for others.
One might think to pollute
the ocean with a pot of poison,
but it wouldn’t work,
for the sea is terribly large.
So too when someone attacks
with words the Realized One—
consummate, of peaceful mind—
the words don’t take.
The astute would befriend one like this,
and follow them around.
A mendicant who walks the path
attains the ending of suffering.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.