
Alavaka was an evil man who feasted on human flesh and performed other feats so horrible that he was known as "the demon." To some, he was never a man, but a demon in human form. At the time of his encounter with Alavaka, Buddha was an itinerant ascetic. He arrived in the city of Alavi while it was being terrorized by Alavaka. Concerned for the people of Alavi, one of whom was being eaten by Alavaka, each day, Buddha visited the demon. Alavaka tried to trick Buddha, scare him, and otherwise bring about his demise, but all in vain. He then tried to outsmart Buddha, though through a series of questions and answers, Buddha was able to show Alavaka the value of compassion, and the demon became an acolyte of Buddha.