Devadatta's Attempts to Harm the Buddha

Devadatta was the Buddha's cousin. After he renounced, he often caused disruption within the Sangha. He manipulated Prince Ajatasatru into usurping the throne, and they agreed that after the prince became king, Devadatta himself would replace the Buddha. He made several attempts to kill the Buddha: he hired assassins, set a drunken elephant upon him and had boulders fall down on him. However, his plans never succeeded. The other disciples resented Devadatta for his repeated attempts to harm the Buddha. However, the Buddha saw Devadatta as instrumental in helping him with his cultivation. For without darkness there is no light; without the presence of evil, one would not know goodness.