法苑珠林 54.13

54.13

As the *Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka-sūtra* says: At that time, Devadatta created various circumstances, wishing to kill the Buddha, yet he was unable to do so. At that time, a brāhmaṇa arrived from Southern India who was skilled in incantations and compounding poisons. Devadatta compounded poison to scatter over the Buddha, but the wind blew the poison back onto his own head. He immediately fell unconscious to the ground, on the verge of death, and physicians could not cure him. Ānanda said to the Buddha, “World-Honoured One, Devadatta has been poisoned and is about to die.” Out of pity, the Buddha spoke words of truth for him: “If, from the time I was a bodhisattva until attaining Buddhahood, I have constantly generated loving-kindness toward Devadatta without any malicious intent, may this poison naturally perish.” Having spoken these words, the poison immediately vanished. The bhikṣus said, “Rare indeed, World-Honoured One! Devadatta constantly generates malicious thoughts toward the Tathāgata; why does the Tathāgata still save his life?” The Buddha said, “Not only today does he direct malicious thoughts toward me; it was also like this in the past.” They then asked the Buddha, “What was the matter of his harboring malicious thoughts toward the Buddha?” The Buddha said: In a past age, in the kingdom of Kāśi, there was the city of Vārāṇasī. There were two ministers: one named Senā and the second named Durgati. Senā constantly practiced in accordance with the Dharma; Durgati constantly engaged in evil deeds and was fond of slander. He said to the king, “Senā wishes to commit rebellion.” The king immediately arrested and imprisoned him. Good spirits of the heavens produced a voice in the sky, saying, “Such a worthy person is truly without fault or guilt; why do you bind him?” Next, Durgati plundered the king's treasury and shifted the blame onto Senā, but the king did not believe it either. The king said, “Seize this Durgati and hand him over to Senā, commanding him to execute judgment upon him.” Senā then instructed Durgati to repent before the king. Durgati, knowing he was guilty, fled to the king of Videha. He made a treasure chest containing two venomous snakes, filled with lethal poison, and had the king of Videha send an envoy to present it to that king and to Senā, [saying,] “The two of you should look at it together; do not show it to anyone else.” Seeing that the treasure chest was exceedingly ornate, the king was greatly delighted. He immediately summoned Senā, wishing to open and inspect it together. Senā replied, “Articles from afar must not be viewed carelessly; fruits and food from afar must not be eaten immediately. Why? There are evil people there, who might use evil to harm us.” The king said, “I must see it.” Senā earnestly admonished him three times, but the king did not heed his words. He further addressed the king, “If you do not heed your subject's words, Your Majesty may inspect it yourself; I cannot look.” The king immediately opened and looked at it, and both his eyes went blind, unable to see things. Senā was grieved, anguished, and emaciated to the point of dying. He sent men in the four directions to travel far through all the kingdoms to seek good medicine. Having obtained good medicine, he treated the king's eyes, and they were restored as before. The king at that time was Śāriputra; Senā at that time was myself; and Durgati at that time was Devadatta.