Overview
Driven by intense ambition and jealousy, the monk Devadatta plotted to replace the Buddha as leader of the Saṅgha. To draw monks away, he presented a clever political trap: he demanded that the Buddha make five extreme ascetic practices mandatory for all monks. The Buddha wisely refused, noting that the path is about moderation and choice, which prompted Devadatta to execute a tragic schism (saṅghabheda).
The List
- Living exclusively in the forest: Demanding that no monk ever be allowed to accept comfortable village lodgings, forcing all to live exclusively in the wild.
- Living exclusively on alms round: Demanding that no monk ever accept a formal house invitation for a meal from lay supporters, forcing all to collect food solely via bowls.
- Wearing only rag robes: Demanding that no monk accept gifts of new cloth from laypeople, forcing all to sew robes exclusively from cemetery or refuse rags.
- Dwelling at the root of a tree: Demanding that no monk sleep under a constructed roof, forcing all to reside purely exposed at the base of trees.
- Abstaining completely from fish and meat: Demanding absolute, mandatory vegetarianism for the entire order, banning the consumption of meat under any condition.
Textual References
- Canonical: Cullavagga (Saṅghabhedaka Khandhaka, Vinaya) – Records the dramatic confrontation where Devadatta introduces these five points to split the young, naive monks away from the Buddha.