Tissa, a cousin of the Buddha, had become a bhikkhu only in his old age. He liked to pose as a senior bhikku and was very pleased when visiting bhikkhus asked his permission to do some service for him. On the other hand, he failed to pay due respect to the senior bhikkus. Besides, he often quarreled with the younger bhikkus. Should anyone rebuke him on account of his behavior he would go complaining to the Buddha, weeping, very much dissatisfied and very upset. The Buddha who understood the position advised Tissa to change his behavior and not to harbor thoughts of hatred against anyone for hatred could only be eradicated by not harboring hatred.
The Buddha said it was not the first time Tissa had been obstinate; he had also been obstinate in a previous life. The Buddha then revealed that in one of his past existences Tissa had been an obstinate ascetic by the name of Devala. As a result of a misunderstanding, he cursed a very holy religious teacher. In spite of the intervention and persuasion of the king to seek the pardon of the religious teacher, Devala refused to do so. Finally, the king had to physically force him to seek the pardon of the religious teacher.
