Deep Commentary

This verse was taught by the Buddha at the Bamboo Grove (Veluvana) concerning Devadatta. The monks were discussing Devadatta's evil nature and his attempts to murder the Buddha after gaining the favor of King Ajatasattu. The Buddha explained that Devadatta's malicious actions were not limited to this present life, but were the result of deeply ingrained habit energy (vasana) cultivated over many past lives. In Buddhist psychology, the 'storehouse consciousness' (Alaya-vijnana) contains seeds (bija) of both wholesome and unwholesome traits. Everyone possesses these seeds. Which seeds manifest depends on how much they are watered or cultivated through our thoughts, words, and actions—this process of habituation forms our karma. Devadatta's habit of jealousy and hostility had grown so strong that it completely overpowered him. If we are not mindful, these deeply rooted negative tendencies, like greed, anger, and ignorance, will manifest whenever conditions are right. The Buddha compares the damage caused by breaking moral precepts to a parasitic maluva creeper that strangles and eventually kills the Sal tree it grows upon. Similarly, one who gives into evil habits and breaks moral boundaries destroys themselves from within, suffering spiritual and often physical ruin. Therefore, the Buddha encourages cultivating wholesome seeds through positive actions and spiritual practice, transforming negative tendencies before they can take root.