# Devadatta

> Buddhist monk, cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddhārtha

**Wikidata**: [Q451043](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q451043)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devadatta)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/devadatta

## Summary
Devadatta was a Buddhist monk who served as the cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddhārtha (the Buddha). His primary historical significance stems from his familial relationship to the founder of Buddhism and his role within the early monastic community.

## Biography
- Born: [Date and place not provided]
- Nationality: [Country not provided]
- Education: [Degrees/institutions not provided]
- Known for: Being a cousin and brother-in-law to Gautama Siddhārtha; ordained as a Buddhist monk.
- Employer(s): Affiliated with the early Buddhist monastic order (Sangha).
- Field(s): Buddhist monasticism.

## Contributions
*   Ordained as a Buddhist monk, participating in the early monastic community established by Gautama Siddhārtha.
*   Identified as the cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddhārtha, establishing a direct familial link to the Buddha within the Shakya clan context.

## FAQs
*   **Who was Devadatta?** Devadatta was a Buddhist monk specifically noted as the cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddhārtha.
*   **What is Devadatta's connection to the Buddha?** He was the Buddha's cousin (through maternal lineage) and brother-in-law (being the brother of Yasodharā, the Buddha's wife).
*   **What religious order was Devadatta part of?** He was ordained as a Buddhist monk within the Sangha, the monastic order founded by Gautama Siddhārtha.

## Why They Matter
Devadatta holds historical significance primarily as a documented familial relative of Gautama Siddhārtha, providing concrete evidence of the Buddha's social and family connections within the Shakya clan. His existence underscores the familial and social networks within the earliest Buddhist community. While historical accounts often depict him negatively (e.g., attempting to cause a schism), his mere presence as a named monk relative highlights the integrated nature of the Buddha's family life and the monastic movement.

## Notable For
*   Being explicitly identified as the cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddhārtha.
*   Being an ordained Buddhist monk within the early Sangha.
*   A documented member of the Shakya clan, connecting the Buddha to his historical royal lineage.
*   Having an alias recognized in structured data: "Devadatta Bhikkhu".

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Devadatta is a historical figure identified primarily through his familial relationship to Gautama Siddhārtha. He is consistently referred to as the Buddha's cousin (maternal uncle's son) and brother-in-law (son of Suprabuddha and brother of Yasodharā, the Buddha's wife). This firmly places him within the Shakya clan, the historical kingdom in India where the Buddha was born. His full title, "Devadatta Bhikkhu," explicitly denotes his status as an ordained Buddhist monk.

### Monastic Affiliation
Devadatta was ordained as a Buddhist monk, a fully ordained male monastic within the order established by Gautama Siddhārtha. His membership in the Sangha (monastic community) is a core fact established by his descriptors. While specific details about his role, teachings, or specific contributions within the monastic system beyond his familial ties are not provided in the source material, his identity as a "Bhikkhu" confirms his participation in this early religious institution.

### Historical Context
He existed within the historical context of the Shakya kingdom, a realm in ancient India existing around the 7th century BCE. Devadatta's significance is intrinsically linked to his proximity to the central figure of Buddhism. His familial connections (cousin and brother-in-law) provide a direct link between the Shakya royalty (to which the Buddha belonged) and the emerging monastic community. This makes him a notable figure in understanding the social dynamics and family structures surrounding the origins of Buddhism. His sitelink count across platforms (31) and Wikipedia entry indicate recognized, albeit perhaps controversial, historical importance.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Five-Part Vinaya
3. Sūtra on the Arising of the World