The chapter on schism in the Sangha (PLI-TV-KD17)

Schismatics destined to hell

“What sort of person who causes a schism in the Sangha is irredeemably destined to an eon in hell?”

“In this case a monk proclaims what’s contrary to the Teaching as being in accordance with it.

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate and the view that the schism is illegitimate. He misrepresents his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he’s irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.

Again, a monk proclaims what’s contrary to the Teaching as being in accordance with it.

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate, but the view that the schism is legitimate. He misrepresents his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he too is irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.

Again, a monk proclaims what’s contrary to the Teaching as being in accordance with it.

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate, but is unsure about the schism. He misrepresents his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he too is irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.

Again, a monk proclaims what’s contrary to the Teaching as being in accordance with it.

He has the view that what he says is legitimate, but the view that the schism is illegitimate …³³

He has the view that what he says is legitimate, but is unsure about the schism …

He is unsure about what he says, but has the view that the schism is illegitimate …

He is unsure about what he says, but has the view that the schism is legitimate …

He is unsure about what he says and is unsure about the schism. He misrepresents his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he too is irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.

Again, a monk proclaims what’s in accordance with the Teaching as contrary to it,

what’s contrary to the Monastic Law as being in accordance with it,

what’s in accordance with the Monastic Law as contrary to it,

what hasn’t been spoken by the Buddha as spoken by him,

what’s been spoken by the Buddha as not spoken by him,

what wasn’t practiced by the Buddha as practiced by him,

what was practiced by the Buddha as not practiced by him,

what wasn’t laid down by the Buddha as laid down by him,

what was laid down by the Buddha as not laid down by him,

a non-offense as an offense,

an offense as a non-offense,

a light offense as heavy,

a heavy offense as light,

a curable offense as incurable,

an incurable offense as curable,

a grave offense as minor,

or a minor offense as grave.

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate and the view that the schism is illegitimate. …

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate, but the view that the schism is legitimate. …

He has the view that what he says is illegitimate, but is unsure about the schism. …

He has the view that what he says is legitimate, but the view that the schism is illegitimate. …³⁴

He has the view that what he says is legitimate, but is unsure about the schism. …

He is unsure about what he says, but has the view that the schism is illegitimate. …

He is unsure about what he says, but has the view that the schism is legitimate. …

He is unsure about what he says and unsure about the schism. He misrepresents his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he too is irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.”

Schismatics not destined to hell

“What sort of person who causes a schism in the Sangha isn’t irredeemably destined to an eon in hell?”

“In this case a monk proclaims what’s contrary to the Teaching as being in accordance with it.

He has the view that what he says is legitimate and the view that the schism is legitimate. He doesn’t misrepresent his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he’s not irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.

Again, a monk proclaims what’s in accordance with the Teaching as contrary to it …

or a minor offense as grave.³⁵

He has the view that what he says is legitimate and the view that the schism is legitimate. He doesn’t misrepresent his view of what’s true, his belief of what’s true, his acceptance of what’s true, or his sentiment of what’s true. He makes a proclamation and distributes ballots, saying,

‘This is the Teaching, this is the Monastic Law, this is the Teacher’s instruction; take this, approve of this.’

When such a person causes a schism in the Sangha, he too isn’t irredeemably destined to an eon in hell.”

The third section for recitation is finished.

The seventh chapter on schism in the Sangha is finished.

This is the summary:

“At Anupiya, well-known,

Great comfort, did not wish;

Plow, sow, irrigate, drain,

Weed, and cut, gather.

Sheaves, thresh, and straw,

Husk, winnow, storage;

Also the future, they never stop,

And fathers, grandfathers.

Bhaddiya, and Anuruddha,

Ānanda, Bhagu, Kimila;

And Sakyan pride, Kosambī,

Disappeared, and with Kakudha.

He announced, and of the father,

Men, stone, Nāḷāgiri;

A triad, five, serious,

He split, and with a serious offense;

Three, eight, again, three,

Fracture, schism, might there be.”

The chapter on schism in the Sangha is finished.