Ka Bu Pm Ss 11Following a Schismatic

The Bhedānuvattaka Sutta (Following One Who Creates Division)

Context

The Bhedānuvattaka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, a central part of the Pāli Canon in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma. The Vinaya Piṭaka is a collection of rules of practice and illustrative stories about events in the community of monks and nuns of the Buddha Śākyamuni.

This sutta revolves around the problem of bheda, division or schism, in the Sangha, a serious challenge to the unity and purity of the monastic body. In the early stages of the Buddha-Dharma, there were occasions when the Sangha was divided by bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs intending to set up different rules or doctrines, causing disturbance. This sutta concerns those who follow, support, or spread such divisions (Bhedānuvattaka), that is, those who act by following schism.

This context reflects the deep concern of the Buddha and the senior disciples for the inviolability of the Sangha: the community of monks and nuns must always remain united in Dharma, Vinaya, and the spirit of practice.

Main Content

This sutta presents regulations on how to deal with those who cause division or support schism in the body of the Sangha. According to Vinaya theory, when a bhikkhu intentionally causes schism in the Sangha or follows and spreads such divisions, this action is considered a Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa offense, among the gravest offenses in Buddhist Vinaya.

Those who "follow one who creates division" are not only the instigators, but also include monks, nuns, or even laypeople who actively support, defend, or spread divisive views. The sutta clearly identifies such actions as accepting, defending, or agreeing with differing positions or rules created with the intention of dividing the Sangha.

The procedure in the Vinaya Piṭaka is very specific. If a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī intentionally follows or supports division, they are required to abandon that action.