Xct Mu Bu Pm Ss 11Following a Schismatic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhedānuvattaka
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Exposition of the Bhedānuvattaka Sutta (Following One Who Causes Schism)
Context
The Bhedānuvattaka Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, especially in the Suttavibhaṅga of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha. This is one of the Vinaya texts focused on regulations concerning discipline and harmony within the monastic community. Bhedānuvattaka (bheda = division, anuvattaka = one who follows after) deals with the situation in which bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs follow a person who causes schism in the Sangha.
In the early history of the Buddhadharma, division (bheda) was regarded as the most serious disease of the Sangha. It is not differences of opinion or doctrinal debate, which may be permitted, but the deliberate act of splitting the community into two factions. This is an offense among the Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa, the most serious violations.
This sutta was established to clarify what disciplinary consequences are to be borne by those who follow one who causes schism, or who support schism. It is a strong warning about the importance of a harmonious Sangha.
Main Content
The sutta clearly states that if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī knows that someone is causing schism (bhedaka), yet still follows that person, encourages others to follow, or acts in a way that sustains the division, that person violates the disciplinary rules.
Specifically, Bhedānuvattaka refers to forms of “following”: not only geographically or physically, but also through mental support, repeating the positions of the one causing schism, and refusing to work toward the reunion of the Sangha. Such persons are regarded as complicit in the schism.
The sutta also distinguishes between having contact with one who causes schism, which may be acceptable in certain specific circumstances, and actively supporting or promoting the schism, which is absolutely prohibited. The purpose is to protect the unity of the Sangha, because it is held that a divided community cannot effectively develop the Buddhadharma.
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