Day 17 covers all of Chapter 12, Devadatta, and opens Chapter 13, Encouragement for Keeping this Sutra.
Having last month covered Chapter 13, Encouragement for Keeping this Sutra, it’s time to return to the story of Devadatta.
Thereupon the Buddha said to the Bodhisattvas, gods, men and the four kinds of devotees:
“[When I was a Bodhisattva] in my previous existence, I sought the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma for innumerable kalpas without indolence. I became a king [and continued to be so] for many kalpas. [Although I was a king,] I made a vow to attain unsurpassed Bodhi. I never faltered in seeking it. I practiced alms-giving in order to complete the six paramitas. I never grudged elephants, horses, the seven treasures, countries, cities, wives, children, menservants, maidservants or attendants. I did not spare my head, eyes, marrow, brain, flesh, hands or feet. I did not spare even my life.
In those days the lives of the people of the world were immeasurably long. [One day] I abdicated from the throne in order to seek the Dharma[, but retained the title of king]. I entrusted the crown prince with the administration of my country. I beat a drum and sought the Dharma in all directions, saying with a loud voice, ‘Who will expound the Great Vehicle to me? If there is anyone, I will make offerings to him, and run errands for him for the rest of my life.’
Thereupon a seer came to [me, who was] the king. He said, ‘I have a sutra of the Great Vehicle called the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Dharma. If you are not disobedient to me,·I will expound this satra to you.’
Having heard this, I danced with joy, and immediately became his servant. I offered him anything he wanted. I collected fruits, drew water, gathered firewood, and prepared meals for him. I even allowed my body to be his seat. I never felt tired in body and mind. I served him for a thousand years. In order to hear the Dharma from him, I served him so strenuously that I did not cause him to be short of anything.
From Rev. Ryusho Jeffus‘ Lecture on the Lotus Sutra:
In the Devadatta chapter we learn that this person who caused the Buddha so much grief in the Buddha’s current lifetime was actually responsible for the Buddha being able to become the Buddha. In a previous lifetime Sakyamuni was a king who gave up his kingdom to his prince and sought the Dharma, going about the land beating a drum, seeking someone who could teach him. He came across a great seer who said that he would teach the Great Vehicle of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower on the condition the king would serve him without becoming disobedient.
With great joy the king began serving this seer. He performed all sorts of menial tasks but never begrudged his efforts because he was that sincere in seeking out the Great Dharma. We learn that not only was the king a previous life of the Buddha but the seer was Devadatta in one of his previous lifetimes. Because of this deep connection the Buddha was able to attain enlightenment and become the Buddha we know of today.
This is a wonderful example of how even the most evil person is at the same time not all bad, and also how we too may have a deep karmic connection with that person.
Lecture on the Lotus Sutra