[Buddha-l] Re: Devadatta the Renegade: The Thrue History of Buddhism

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Beni,

>>We   define  ourselves  against  the  world,  against
>>others.
>>Don't  underestimate  those who play second roles or
>>baddies.

>    I  think that I don't tend to do it. But in the case
> of  the  Devadattian  rigorists, I think that they were
> the  ones  who decided to define themselves against the
> mainstrean sangha.

I am not so sure. The rigorism came first (Jainism, the Buddha's 
unsuccessful practice of ascetism). Perhaps Devadatta cum suis were 
simply more traditionalist and thought Buddhism went too far in its 
redefinition.

Joy