Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga - Saṅghādisesa 10: Acting To Divide The Saṅgha
- Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Brahmali. (More copyright information)
Origin story
1At one time when the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, Devadatta went to Kokālika, Kaṭamodakatissaka, Khaṇḍadeviyā-putta, and Samuddadatta. He said to them, “Let’s cause a schism in the Sangha of the ascetic Gotama. Let’s break its authority.”
Kokālika said to Devadatta, “The ascetic Gotama is powerful and mighty. How can we do this?”
“Well, let’s go to the ascetic Gotama and request five things: ‘In many ways, Venerable Sir, you praise fewness of wishes, contentment, self-effacement, ascetic practices, being inspiring, the reduction in things, and being energetic. And there are five things that lead to just that: It would be good, Sir,
If the monks stayed in the wilderness for life, and whoever stayed near an inhabited area would commit an offense
If they ate only almsfood for life, and whoever accepted an invitational meal would commit an offense
If they were rag-robe wearers for life, and whoever accepted robe-cloth from a householder would commit an offense
If they lived at the foot of a tree for life, and whoever took shelter would commit an offense
If they didn’t eat fish or meat for life, and whoever did would commit an offense.’
The ascetic Gotama won’t allow this. We’ll then be able to win people over with these five points.”
Kokālika said, “It might be possible to cause a schism in the Sangha with these five points, for people have confidence in austerity.”
2Devadatta and his followers then went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down, and Devadatta made his request. The Buddha replied, “No, Devadatta. Those who wish may stay in the wilderness, and those who wish may live near inhabited areas. Those who wish may eat only almsfood, and those who wish may accept invitational meals. Those who wish may be rag-robe wearers, and those who wish may accept robe-cloth from householders. I have allowed the foot of a tree as resting place for eight months of the year, as well as fish and meat that are pure in three respects: one hasn’t seen, heard, or suspected that the animal was specifically killed to feed a monastic.”
Devadatta thought, “The Buddha doesn’t allow the five points.” Glad and elated, he got up from his seat, bowed down, circumambulated the Buddha with his right side toward him, and left with his followers.
3Devadatta then entered Rājagaha and won people over with the five points, saying, “The ascetic Gotama doesn’t agree to them, but we practice in accordance with them.”
4The foolish people with little faith and confidence said, “These Sakyan monastics are practicing asceticism and living with the aim of self-effacement. But the ascetic Gotama is extravagant and has chosen a life of indulgence.” But the wise people who had faith and confidence complained and criticized Devadatta, “How can Devadatta pursue schism in the Sangha of the Buddha? How can he break its authority?”
5The monks heard the criticism of those people, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized him in the same way.
6After rebuking Devadatta in many ways, they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned Devadatta: “Is it true, Devadatta, that you are doing this?”
“It’s true, Sir.”
The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:
Final ruling
7‘If a monk pursues schism in a united Sangha or persists in taking up a legal issue conducive to schism, the monks should correct him like this, “Venerable, don’t pursue schism in the united Sangha or persist in taking up a legal issue conducive to schism. Stay with the Sangha, for a united Sangha—in concord, in harmony, having a joint recitation—is at ease.” If that monk continues as before, the monks should press him up to three times to make him stop. If he then stops, all is well. If he does not stop, he commits an offense entailing suspension.’”
Definitions
8A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.
9A united Sangha: those belonging to the same Buddhist sect and staying within the same monastery zone.
10Pursues schism: thinking, “What can I do to split, separate, and divide them?” he searches for a faction and puts together a group.
11A legal issue conducive to schism: the eighteen bases for schism.
12Taking up: having adopted.
13Taking up: he proclaims.
14If he persists in: if he does not stop.
15Him: the monk who is pursuing schism in the Sangha.
16The monks: other monks.
17Those who see it or hear it. They should correct him like this:
“Venerable, don’t pursue schism in the united Sangha or persist in taking up a legal issue conducive to schism. Stay with the Sangha, for a united Sangha—in concord, in harmony, having a joint recitation—is at ease.”
And they should correct him a second and a third time. If he stops, all is well. If he does not stop, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
If those who heard about it do not say anything, they commit an offense of wrong conduct.
That monk, even if he has to be pulled into the Sangha, should be corrected like this:
“Venerable, don’t pursue schism in the united Sangha or persist in taking up a legal issue conducive to schism. Stay with the Sangha, for a united Sangha—in concord, in harmony, having a joint recitation—is at ease.”
They should correct him a second and a third time. If he stops, all is well. If he does not stop, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Should press him:
“And, monks, he should be pressed like this. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:
18‘Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk so-and-so is pursuing schism in the united Sangha. And he keeps on doing it. If it seems appropriate to the Sangha, the Sangha should press him to make him stop. This is the motion.
19Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk so-and-so is pursuing schism in the united Sangha. And he keeps on doing it. The Sangha presses him to make him stop. Any monk who approves of pressing him to make him stop should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.
20For the second time I speak on this matter: … For the third time I speak on this matter: Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk so-and-so is pursuing schism in the united Sangha. And he keeps on doing it. The Sangha presses him to make him stop. Any monk who approves of pressing him to make him stop should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.
21The Sangha has pressed monk so-and-so to make him stop. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’”
22After the motion, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. After each of the first two announcements, he commits a serious offense. When the last announcement is finished, he commits an offense entailing suspension. For one who commits the offense entailing suspension, the offense of wrong conduct and the serious offenses are annulled.
23He commits an offense entailing suspension: … Therefore, too, it is called “an offense entailing suspension”.
Permutations
24If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and he perceives it as such, and he does not stop, he commits an offense entailing suspension.
25If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he is unsure of it, and he does not stop, he commits an offense entailing suspension.
26If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he perceives it as illegitimate, and he does not stop, he commits an offense entailing suspension.
27If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but he perceives it as legitimate, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
28If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
29If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and he perceives it as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Non-offenses
30There is no offense: if he has not been pressed; if he stops; if he is insane; if he is deranged; if he is overwhelmed by pain; if he is the first offender.
31The training rule on schism in the Sangha, the tenth, is finished.
1p_1V_1673, msdiv409Tena samayena buddho bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe. Atha kho devadatto yena kokāliko kaṭamodakatissako khaṇḍadeviyā putto samuddadatto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā kokālikaṁ kaṭamodakatissakaṁ khaṇḍadeviyā puttaṁ samuddadattaṁ etadavoca: "etha mayaṁ, āvuso, samaṇassa gotamassa saṇghabhedaṁ karissāma cakkabhedan"ti.
Evaṁ vutte, kokāliko devadattaṁ etadavoca: "Samaṇo kho, āvuso, gotamo mahiddhiko mahānubhāvo. Kathaṁ mayaṁ samaṇassa gotamassa saṇghabhedaṁ karissāma cakkabhedan"ti?
"Etha mayaṁ, āvuso, samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pañca vatthūni yācissāma— ‘bhagavā, bhante, anekapariyāyena appicchassa santuṭṭhassa sallekhassa dhutassa pāsādikassa apacayassa vīriyārambhassa vaṇṇavādī. Imāni, bhante, pañca vatthūni anekapariyāyena appicchatāya santuṭṭhiyā sallekhāya dhutatāya pāsādikatāya apacayāya vīriyārambhāya saṁvattanti. Sādhu, bhante, bhikkhū
Yāvajīvaṁ āraññikā assu; yo gāmantaṁ osareyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya.
Yāvajīvaṁ piṇḍapātikā assu; yo nimantanaṁ sādiyeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya.
Yāvajīvaṁ paṁsukūlikā assu; yo gahapaticīvaraṁ sādiyeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya.
Yāvajīvaṁ rukkhamūlikā assu; yo channaṁ upagaccheyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya.
Yāvajīvaṁ macchamaṁsaṁ na khādeyyuṁ; yo macchamaṁsaṁ khādeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyyā’ti.
Imāni samaṇo gotamo nānujānissati. Te mayaṁ imehi pañcahi vatthūhi janaṁ saññāpessāmāti.
Sakkā kho, āvuso, imehi pañcahi vatthūhi samaṇassa gotamassa saṇghabhedo kātuṁ cakkabhedo. Lūkhapasannā hi, āvuso, manussā"ti.
2p_1V_1674Atha kho devadatto sapariso yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho devadatto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "Bhagavā, bhante, anekapariyāyena appicchassa … pe … vīriyārambhassa vaṇṇavādī. Imāni, bhante, pañca vatthūni anekapariyāyena appicchatāya … pe … vīriyārambhāya saṁvattanti. Sādhu, bhante, bhikkhū yāvajīvaṁ āraññikā assu; yo gāmantaṁ osareyya vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya … pe … yāvajīvaṁ macchamaṁsaṁ na khādeyyuṁ, yo macchamaṁsaṁ khādeyya vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyyā"ti. "Alaṁ, devadatta, yo icchati āraññiko hotu, yo icchati gāmante viharatu; yo icchati piṇḍapātiko hotu, yo icchati nimantanaṁ sādiyatu; yo icchati paṁsukūliko hotu, yo icchati gahapaticīvaraṁ sādiyatu. Aṭṭhamāse kho mayā, devadatta, rukkhamūlasenāsanaṁ anuññātaṁ, tikoṭiparisuddhaṁ macchamaṁsaṁ— adiṭṭhaṁ asutaṁ aparisaṅkitan"ti.
Atha kho devadatto: "Na bhagavā imāni pañca vatthūni anujānātī"ti haṭṭho udaggo sapariso uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.
3p_1V_1675, msdiv410Atha kho devadatto sapariso rājagahaṁ pavisitvā pañcahi vatthūhi janaṁ saññāpesi— "Mayaṁ, āvuso, samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pañca vatthūni yācimhā— ‘bhagavā, bhante, anekapariyāyena appicchassa santuṭṭhassa sallekhassa dhutassa pāsādikassa apacayassa vīriyārambhassa vaṇṇavādī. Imāni, bhante, pañca vatthūni anekapariyāyena appicchatāya santuṭṭhiyā sallekhāya dhutatāya pāsādikatāya apacayāya vīriyārambhāya saṁvattanti. Sādhu, bhante, bhikkhū yāvajīvaṁ āraññikā assu; yo gāmantaṁ osareyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya. Yāvajīvaṁ piṇḍapātikā assu; yo nimantanaṁ sādiyeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya. Yāvajīvaṁ paṁsukūlikā assu; yo gahapaticīvaraṁ sādiyeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya. Yāvajīvaṁ rukkhamūlikā assu; yo channaṁ upagaccheyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyya. Yāvajīvaṁ macchamaṁsaṁ na khādeyyuṁ; yo macchamaṁsaṁ khādeyya, vajjaṁ naṁ phuseyyā’ti. Imāni samaṇo gotamo nānujānāti. Te mayaṁ imehi pañcahi vatthūhi samādāya vattāmā"ti.
4p_1V_1676Tattha ye te manussā assaddhā appasannā dubbuddhino te evamāhaṁsu— "ime kho samaṇā sakyaputtiyā dhutā sallekhavuttino, samaṇo pana gotamo bāhulliko bāhullāya cetetī"ti. Ye pana te manussā saddhā pasannā paṇḍitā byattā buddhimanto te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti: "Kathañhi nāma devadatto bhagavato saṇghabhedāya parakkamissati cakkabhedāyā"ti.
5p_1V_1677Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. Ye te bhikkhū appicchā … pe … te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti: "Kathañhi nāma devadatto saṇghabhedāya parakkamissati cakkabhedāyā"ti.
6p_1V_1678Atha kho te bhikkhū devadattaṁ anekapariyāyena vigarahitvā bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ … pe … "Saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, devadatta, saṇghabhedāya parakkamasi cakkabhedāyā"ti?
"Saccaṁ, bhagavā"ti.
Vigarahi buddho bhagavā … pe … kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, saṇghabhedāya parakkamissasi cakkabhedāya. Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya … pe … evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—
7p_1V_1679, msdiv411"Yo pana bhikkhu samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkameyya, bhedanasaṁvattanikaṁ vā adhikaraṇaṁ samādāya paggayha tiṭṭheyya, so bhikkhu bhikkhūhi evamassa vacanīyo: ‘māyasmā samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkami, bhedanasaṁvattanikaṁ vā adhikaraṇaṁ samādāya paggayha aṭṭhāsi. Sametāyasmā saṇghena. Samaggo hi saṅgho sammodamāno avivadamāno ekuddeso phāsu viharatī’ti. Evañca so bhikkhu bhikkhūhi vuccamāno tatheva paggaṇheyya, so bhikkhu bhikkhūhi yāvatatiyaṁ samanubhāsitabbo tassa paṭinissaggāya. Yāvatatiyañce samanubhāsiyamāno taṁ paṭinissajjeyya, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjeyya, Saṅghādiseso"ti. (10:14)
8p_1V_1680, msdiv412Yo panā'ti yo yādiso … pe … bhikkhū'ti … pe … ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.
9p_1V_1681Samaggo nāma saṅgho samānasaṁvāsako samānasīmāyaṁ ṭhito.
10p_1V_1682Bhedāya parakkameyyā ti— "Kathaṁ ime nānā assu, vinā assu, vaggā assū"ti pakkhaṁ pariyesati, gaṇaṁ bandhati.
11p_1V_1683Bhedanasaṁvattanikaṁ vā adhikaraṇan'ti aṭṭhārasabhedakaravatthūni.
12p_1V_1684Samādāyā'ti ādāya.
13p_1V_1685Paggayhā'ti dīpeyya.
14p_1V_1686Tiṭṭheyyā'ti na paṭinissajjeyya.
15p_1V_1687So bhikkhū'ti yo so saṇghabhedako bhikkhu.
16p_1V_1688Bhikkhūhī'ti aññehi bhikkhūhi.
17p_1V_1689Ye passanti, ye suṇanti, tehi vattabbo—
"Māyasmā samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkami, bhedanasaṁvattanikaṁ vā adhikaraṇaṁ samādāya paggayha aṭṭhāsi. Sametāyasmā saṇghena. Samaggo hi saṅgho sammodamāno avivadamāno ekuddeso phāsu viharatī"ti.
Dutiyampi vattabbo. Tatiyampi vattabbo. Sace paṭinissajjati, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Sutvā na vadanti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
So bhikkhu saṇghamajjhampi ākaḍḍhitvā vattabbo—
"Māyasmā samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkami, bhedanasaṁvattanikaṁ vā adhikaraṇaṁ samādāya paggayha aṭṭhāsi. Sametāyasmā saṇghena. Samaggo hi saṅgho sammodamāno avivadamāno ekuddeso phāsu viharatī"ti.
Dutiyampi vattabbo. Tatiyampi vattabbo. Sace paṭinissajjati, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
So bhikkhu samanubhāsitabbo—
"Evañca pana, bhikkhave, samanubhāsitabbo. Byattena bhikkhunā paṭibalena saṅgho ñāpetabbo—
18p_1V_1690, msdiv413‘Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Ayaṁ itthannāmo bhikkhu samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkamati. So taṁ vatthuṁ na paṭinissajjati. Yadi saṅghassa pattakallaṁ, saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ samanubhāseyya tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Esā ñatti.
19p_1V_1691Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Ayaṁ itthannāmo bhikkhu samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkamati. So taṁ vatthuṁ na paṭinissajjati. saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ samanubhāsati tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno samanubhāsanā tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya, so tuṇhassa; yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.
20p_1V_1692Dutiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi … pe … tatiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi— suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Ayaṁ itthannāmo bhikkhu samaggassa saṅghassa bhedāya parakkamati. So taṁ vatthuṁ na paṭinissajjati. saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ samanubhāsati tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno samanubhāsanā tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya, so tuṇhassa; yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.
21p_1V_1693Samanubhaṭṭho saṇghena itthannāmo bhikkhu tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Khamati saṅghassa, tasmā tuṇhī, evametaṁ dhārayāmī’"ti.
22p_1V_1694, msdiv414Ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā, kammavācāpariyosāne āpatti saṅghādisesassa. saṅghādisesaṁ ajjhāpajjantassa ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā paṭippassambhanti.
23p_1V_1695Saṅghādiseso'ti … pe … tenapi vuccati Saṅghādisesoti.
24p_1V_1696, msdiv415Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
25p_1V_1697Dhammakamme vematiko na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
26p_1V_1698Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
27p_1V_1699Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
28p_1V_1700Adhammakamme vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
29p_1V_1701Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
30p_1V_1702, msdiv416Anāpatti— asamanubhāsantassa, paṭinissajjantassa, ummattakassa, khittacittassa, vedanāṭṭassa, ādikammikassāti.
31p_1V_1703Saṇghabhedasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ.