Devadatta sent a band of archers to kill the Buddha but when they saw him they could not bring themselves to shoot. Eventually they all became disciples.

Devadatta was disappointed in the archers so thought: 'If you want a job doing properly then you've got to do it yourself.' He pushed a rock off a cliff down onto the Buddha. In midair the rock split into several harmless pieces. Even so the Buddha's foot was cut by a splinter.

Finally Devadatta got the royal elephant, Nalagiri, drunk and sent it charging down the street where the Buddha was walking on alms round. Everyone freaked out but the Buddha fearlessly raised his right hand (abhaya mudra) and radiated loving kindness. The elephant slowed and eventually kneeled before the Buddha.