Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/374

258 better for you to come in the morning to Gayā-sīsa and enjoy really good food — drinking our excellent gruel, and eating from the eighteen kinds of dishes we get?"

When he had been pressed again and again, he became willing to go; and thenceforward he used to go to Gayā-sīsa and take his meal, and return early to the Bambu Grove. But it was impossible to keep it secret for ever; and before long it was noised abroad that he went to Gayā-sīsa and partook of the food provided for Devadatta.

So his friends asked him if that were true.

"Who has said such a thing?" said he.

"Such and such a one," was the reply.

"Well, it is true, brethren, that I go and take my meals at Gayā-sīsa; but it is not Devadatta, it is the others who give me to eat."

"Brother! Devadatta is a bitter enemy of the Buddhas. The wicked fellow has curried favour with Ajāta-sattu, and won over his patronage by his wickedness. Yet you, who took the vows under a system so well able to lead you to Nirvāna, now partake of food procured for Devadatta by his wickedness. Come! we must take you before the Master!" So saying, they brought him to the Lecture Hall.

The Master saw them, and asked, "What, then! are you come here, O mendicants! bringing this brother with you against his will?"

"Yes, Lord," said they. "This brother took the vows under you, and yet he partakes of the food which Devadatta's wickedness has earned for him."

The Teacher asked him whether this was true what they said.

"Lord!" replied he, "it is not Devadatta, but the others who give me food: that I do eat."

Then said the Teacher, "O monk, make no excuse for it. Devadatta is a sinful, wicked man. How then can you, who took the vows here, eat Devadatta's bread, even