28. Equal Love To All

28. Equal Love To All

One day Devadatta fell ill. Many doctors came to see him but no one couldcure him. Then his cousin, the Buddha, went to visit him.

One of Buddha's followers asked him, "O Buddha, why are you going to helpDevadatta? He has tried to harm you many times. He has even tried to killyou!"

And Buddha answered, "There is no reason to be friendly with some peopleand an enemy to others. All people are equal in that everyone wants happinessand no one likes to be sick and miserable. Therefore, we should have lovefor everyone."

Then he approached Devadatta's bed and said, "If it is true that I loveDevadatta, who is always trying to harm me, as much as I love Rahula, myonly child, then let my cousin be cured of his sickness!" Immediately Devadattarecovered and was healthy once again.

Buddha turned to his followers and said, "Remember, a true Buddha helpsall beings equally."