Just as a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>naḷa</i> reed produces fruit to its own destruction and ruin, so too will Devadatta’s material support, honor, and praise cause his own destruction and ruin. Just as a mule becomes pregnant to its own destruction and ruin, so too will Devadatta’s material support, honor, and praise cause his own destruction and ruin.” “The fruit destroys the plantain, And the bamboo and the reed. Honor destroys the bad person, As the fetus destroys the mule.” The first section for recitation is finished.

The second section4. The legal procedure of announcement

Soon afterwards the Buddha was seated giving a teaching surrounded by a large gathering of people, including the king. Devadatta then got up from his seat, arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms, and said, “Sir, you’re now old and close to the end of life. You should live free from bother and enjoy the happiness of meditation. Hand the Sangha of monks over to me. Let me lead the Sangha.” “Let it be, Devadatta, don’t think of leading the Sangha of monks.” A second time Devadatta said the same thing and got the same reply. He then said it a third time, and the Buddha replied: