They took Ajātasattu with them and went to King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha to inform him of what had happened. The king said, “What do you all make of this?” They told him their views. The king then said, “What’s this got to do with the Buddha, the Teaching, and the Sangha? Didn’t the Buddha have an announcement made in Rājagaha as a warning: ‘Devadatta’s character has changed. Whatever Devadatta does by body or speech has nothing to do with the Buddha, the Teaching, or the Sangha, but only with Devadatta’?” He then fired those officials who had suggested to execute the prince, Devadatta, and the Sangha; he demoted those who had suggested to execute the prince and Devadatta; and he promoted those who had suggested to act according to the king’s orders. And he said to Ajātasattu, “Why do you want to kill me?” “I want to rule, sir.” “If you want to rule, the kingdom is yours.” And he handed the rulership over to the prince.

6. The sending of assassins