Xct Mu Bi Pm Ss 18Following a Schismatic

Exposition of the Bhedānuvattaka Sutta (Following One Who Causes Schism)

Background

The Bhedānuvattaka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Patimokkha Saṁvara Sangha section, the rules for monastics of the Sangha. It concerns one of the gravest violations in Theravāda Buddhism: following and supporting one who causes division in the Sangha.

The historical background of this discourse arises from events in the Sangha during the Buddha's time, when certain monks did not observe discipline or held differing views about the Dharma and Vinaya. These people tried to propagate their own views, encouraging other monks to leave the Sangha or follow another direction. This division, called Saṅgha-bheda, is considered an extremely serious offense, equivalent to directly harming the existence and unity of the Buddhist community.

Thus this discourse makes clear: those who knowingly train according to the path of schism or intentionally follow those who cause such division also commit serious violations of the Vinaya.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Canon tradition, Bhedānuvattaka forbids monks and nuns from privately choosing to follow a monk, nun, or monastic who has caused schism in the Sangha or intentionally violated the discipline. This action includes:

First, deliberately following the instructions of one who causes division, instead of observing the Dharma-Vinaya established by the Buddha for the entire Sangha.

Second, openly or inwardly supporting that person's views, thereby weakening the shared consensus and trust of the Sangha.

Third, abandoning the common rules to follow a single individual or small group, breaking the harmony (Samanasaññā) necessary for the Sangha's existence.

This violation is classified as grave not only because it violates personal discipline, but also because it directly harms the religious institution.