Lzh Mi Bi Pm Ss 10Causing Schism in the Saṅgha
Pāli / Sanskrit:Saṅghabheda
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The Sutta on Causing Schism in the Sangha (Saṅghabheda)
Background
The Saṅghabheda Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, as part of the Khandaka, the collection of regulations concerning the Sangha. This sutta was recorded while the Buddha was still alive, in order to address internal disputes within the community of monks and nuns.
The historical context of the sutta is related to occasions when the Sangha was divided, especially the rebellion of the bhikkhu Devadatta, the Buddha’s cousin. Devadatta attempted to cause a schism in the Sangha by gathering bhikkhus to follow a more severe ascetic path and declaring rules different from the Buddha-Dharma taught by the Blessed One. This event became the starting point for the Buddha and the communities of monks and nuns to establish regulations (Pātimokkha) to protect the unity of the Saṅgha.
Saṅghabheda is regarded as one of the Pārājika offenses, that is, actions leading to complete exclusion from the Sangha, equivalent to losing one’s standing in the monastic life. These are the most severe rules in the Vinaya.
Main Content
The Saṅghabheda Sutta stipulates that any bhikkhu who intentionally seeks to cause division in the Sangha, whether by divisive speech or by inciting others to separate from the Sangha, is considered to have committed a Pārājika offense. This conduct includes:
First, speech that is divisive, declaring teachings different from the Buddha’s teaching in order to persuade others that the Sangha does not follow the Dharma and Vinaya.
Second, gathering and leading other bhikkhus along a separate path, forming a breakaway group with different rules of practice.
Third, continuously maintaining this divided condition and refusing reconciliation even when persuaded by the Sangha.
This rule protects the unity of the Saṅgha, an essential condition for the Buddha-Dharma to be transmitted and to flourish.
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