Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Ss 10Causing Schism in the Saṅgha
Pāli / Sanskrit:Saṅghabheda
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The Saṅghabheda Sutta — The Grave Offense of Dividing the Sangha
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the Saṅghabheda Sutta is recorded as one of the gravest offenses related to morality and to the principle of protecting the unity of the Sangha (Saṅgha). The Sangha is the community of monks and nuns who practice according to the Buddha-Dharma, and its integrity is regarded as the foundation of the Teaching in the world.
This sutta is recorded in the disciplinary rules (Vinaya) to warn against dangerous acts that can cause discord, conflict, and division within the monastic community. The historical background shows that there were occasions when monks intentionally separated from the main training center in order to establish separate groups, or engaged in doctrinal disputes that led to profound conflict.
Main Content
Saṅghabheda, division of the Sangha, is defined in the Vinaya Piṭaka as one of the most seriously evil actions. It is not merely disagreement of opinion or doctrinal debate, but the intentional act of dividing the Sangha into separate groups with the aim of destroying harmony.
According to this sutta, the causes leading to Saṅghabheda include: (1) malicious speech intended to incite discord among monks; (2) intentional actions separating a group of monks from the main community; (3) unauthorized gatherings to establish an independent training center; (4) false teachings or teachings contrary to the Buddha-Dharma intended to lead practitioners away from the true path.
The related grave offenses are classified in the Vinaya Piṭaka as especially serious violations. Monks who intentionally cause a schism in the Sangha will undergo severe spiritual and practical consequences: they will be expelled from the community, lose the protection of the Teaching, and be disgraced in the community of monastics as well as laypeople.
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