The salvation of queen Vaidehi

Shakyamuni and Queen Vaidehi
(source of the photo)

 Fragment from my Commentary on the Contemplation Sutra. It is a work in progress and under constant revision. Click here to read the other chapters.

 The Contemplation Sutra[1] was taught in the context   of a  tragedy in the royal family of Magadha[2]. Master  Shan-tao[3]   who wrote a commentary on this sutra[4]  gave a detailed   account  of what happened. As there is  no English translation   available of his commentary I quote Rev Hisao Inagaki’s   summary of Shan-tao’s explanation:
 
 “Shakyamuni had a cousin, Devadatta, who was greedy for fame   and wealth. Seeing the Buddha receive many offerings from   King  Bimbisara, he wanted to take over the leadership of the   sangha. He first learned supernatural power from Ananda,   which  he displayed to Prince  Ajatasatru; thus he won the   respect of the prince and also received sumptuous offerings from him. Devadatta then approached Shakyamuni and suggested that the Buddha retire but was rebuked for his stupidity. Angered by this, he next incited Ajatasatru to usurp the throne.
Seeing that Ajatasatru hesitated, Devadatta pointed at the prince’s broken little finger and told him the following story.