Lzh Dg Bi Pm Ss 11Following a Schismatic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhedānuvattaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
SCRIPTURE ON FOLLOWING A SCHISMATIC (BHEDĀNUVATTAKA)
Context
This scripture is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli tradition, specifically in connection with regulations concerning preservation of the Sangha and protection of the unity of the monastic community. In the early period of Buddhism, after the Buddha entered nirvana, the Sangha underwent disputes concerning doctrine and practice. These arguments sometimes led to divisions (bhedā), that is, groups of monastics separating from the main Sangha and establishing distinct rules.
The Bhedānuvattaka scripture was composed to warn practitioners not to follow such divisions, because such actions lead to serious consequences. This scripture reflects the Theravāda Buddhist view of the importance of a unified Sangha, where spiritual unity is the foundation for preserving and transmitting the Dharma.
Main Content
The Bhedānuvattaka scripture teaches the rules and legal principles concerning monastics who follow schismatic groups within the Sangha. According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, such actions are regarded as violations of the basic principles of unity and compliance with the regulations of the Sangha.
Specifically, the scripture indicates that when a group of monastics separates from the main Sangha and establishes different rules, those who follow them fall into a state of violating the regulations concerning the unity of the community. This affects not only individuals but also the entire monastic community.
The scripture emphasizes that following the unified Sangha is an important part of the path of practice. The unity of the Sangha helps protect the purity of the Dharma (Dhamma) and ensures that the Buddha’s teachings are transmitted accurately and intact through later generations.
Practical Meaning
In the context of modern practice, the Bhedānuvattaka scripture offers a profound lesson on cohesion and unity within the Buddhist community.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.