Mpt Ss 11Following a Schismatic

The Sutta on Following One Who Causes Schism (Bhedānuvattaka)

Background

The Bhedānuvattaka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Samantapāsādikā, a text that explains in detail the rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the Buddhist Sangha. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Pitaka plays a central role in maintaining the purity of the Sangha and protecting the practice of those who have gone forth.

This sutta was composed in a historical context in which Buddhism faced internal dangers, especially those who followed or supported monastics who caused schism in the Sangha. Schism (bheda) is regarded as one of the gravest faults, because it shatters the harmony and unity of the community of practice and thereby directly affects the ability to transmit the true Dharma.

Main Content

This sutta addresses the matter of Buddhists or monastics who follow, support, and serve those who cause schism in the Sangha. These are not people who directly create schism, but those who voluntarily follow, honor, and support persons whom the Sangha has prohibited because they cause division.

The sutta establishes a clear principle: those who follow a schismatic also take part in similar mistaken conduct. They share in the fault of schism even though they do not directly create it. This reflects the Buddhist principle of cause and effect (kamma): not only the primary action, but also support, approval, or following creates a corresponding result.

The law in this sutta is directed not only at those who create conflict, but also at the forces that support them. This is to protect the cohesion and shared practice of the Sangha, because a schism weakens the entire community of practice.

Practical Meaning

In the context of modern practice, this sutta teaches us the importance of vigilance toward internal divisions.