Thus I have heard:
One time, the Budha was dwelling in Raajagriha at the Bamboo Grove of Karanda, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikshus.
At that time, Devadata caused schism in the Sangha, injured the Tathaagata’s foot, instigated Ajaatashatru to kill his father, the king; and murdered an Arhat bhikshunii. In the midst of the assembly he declared: “Where is evil? From what does evil arise? Who commits evil and receives its retribution? I neither commit evil nor receive its consequences.”
Many bhikshus heard these words while begging for alms in Raajagriha. That foolish Devadata was proclaiming in the assembly: “Where is evil? From what does evil arise? Who commits evil and receives its retribution?”
After their meal, the bhikshus gathered their robes and bowls, placed their sitting mats upon their right shoulders, and went to the Bhagavaan. They bowed their heads at his feet and sat to one side.
The bhikshus addressed the Bhagavaan:
“That foolish Devadata is declaring in the assembly: ‘How can there be evil without consequence, good deeds without reward, no retribution for good or evil?’“
The Bhagavaan told the bhikshus:
“Evil exists, wrongdoing exists – all actions bear their corresponding results. If that foolish Devadata truly understood karmic retribution, his body would wither with grief and boiling blood would burst from his face.
Precisely because he doesn’t understand karmic law, he dares proclaim: ‘No retribution exists, evil brings no misfortune, good earns no merit.’“
Then the Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
“The fool thinks himself wise,
Believing evil brings reward;
But I clearly perceive
The true fruits of karma.”
“Thus, O bhikshus!
You should abandon evil,
And tirelessly cultivate merit.
O bhikshus! Train yourselves thus.”
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.