Lzh Mu Bi Vb Ss 17Causing Schism in the Saṅgha
Pāli / Sanskrit:Saṅghabheda
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EXPLANATION OF THE SAṄGHABHEDA SUTTA
(The Sutta on Schism in the Sangha)
Background
The Saṅghabheda Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection that prescribes the ethics and discipline of the early Buddhist monastic community. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of restrictive rules, but the foundation protecting the Sangha — the community of those gone forth who practice the Eight Precepts or strict disciplinary observances.
Saṅghabheda — “schism in the Sangha” — is one of the gravest offenses in Buddhism. It refers to the deliberate act of causing division, forming a group separate from the unified Sangha, or encouraging bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to abandon the shared discipline. This sutta was recorded to protect the unity and purity of the Sangha, for this is a prerequisite for the Buddha-Dharma to endure for a long time.
Main Content
In the tradition of the Pāli Canon, Saṅghabheda is considered one of the five irreversible deeds (Ānantariya Kamma), the gravest evil actions, which, if committed, lead to extremely heavy karmic consequences after death. The content of the sutta concerns committing this offense through specific actions.
The sutta states clearly: anyone who intentionally creates division in the Sangha, or causes bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to split into groups holding different views about the Buddha-Dharma with the purpose of destroying unity, commits the offense of Saṅghabheda. This includes spreading false teachings in order to shake the faith of the community, or manipulating members to follow rules that are not the Buddha-Dharma.
The important point is that the intention (cetana) must be deliberate and aimed at destruction. Genuine disagreements about the Dharma can be resolved through reasoned discussions or meetings of the Sangha, but intentionally causing division is entirely forbidden.
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