Why Is Slandering the Three Jewels the Gravest Sin?

All Buddhist scriptures are the true words of the Buddha; the Buddha does not deceive sentient beings. Many people believe that any casual remark they make is insignificant and of little consequence, yet the weight of a single statement may be considerable, often unbeknownst to themselves. A single wholesome thought becomes the cause for ascending to heavenly realms and experiencing bliss, while a single unwholesome thought becomes the cause for falling into the Avici Hell. Words spoken and actions taken within the context of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) are especially significant, unlike words and deeds in worldly affairs. If a single statement slanders or disparages the Three Jewels, whether factual or not, it constitutes a cause for rebirth in hell. A single word of discord, known as divisive speech, which disrupts the harmony of the Sangha or sows discord between monastics, between lay practitioners, or between monastics and lay practitioners, is also a cause for rebirth in hell. The mouth commits the most unwholesome karma. To avoid suffering negative consequences, one should diligently guard their speech and beware of calamity arising from the mouth. Remain silent when there is nothing to say; when necessary, speak little and speak well. Avoid stirring up trouble or creating disputes where none exist. In this way, one maintains personal purity and leaves no trace of fault; this is the conduct of the wise and intelligent. Conversely, it is the way of those deeply afflicted by ignorance and defilements.

Slander is divided into baseless slander and substantiated slander. "Root" here means evidence or fact. Claiming something exists when it does not, or denying something that does exist, thus distorting the truth, constitutes baseless slander. When the matter is true and the statement is factual, it is called substantiated slander. Regarding the Three Jewels, both types constitute slander and carry grave offenses. Speaking of the faults or misdeeds of monastics is a major transgression. Even if the matter is true, speaking of it to others, whether intentionally or unintentionally, is an offense, and spreading it with malicious intent incurs an even greater sin.

Why is the karma created within the context of the Three Jewels the most severe? Because the Three Jewels hold the greatest kindness and merit towards sentient beings in the world. They can bring sentient beings liberation, enabling them to leave suffering and attain happiness; they are the supreme field of merit for sentient beings. Committing unwholesome karma within one's own field of merit naturally results in the gravest offenses and the most significant consequences. If one's slander causes sentient beings to lose faith in the Three Jewels, it is tantamount to severing their path to liberation. This offense is certainly heavier than any other.

In the mundane world, treating someone who has shown you kindness with malice is considered shameful and is condemned by society. How much more so, then, when one directs malice within the Dharma towards the Three Jewels, who can bring oneself immeasurable eons of liberation and merit—how could such an offense be minor?

All those who commit unwholesome karma do so due to defilements, arising from the mind being self-centered and devoid of regard for others. Greed, hatred, delusion, arrogance, and doubt: because greed exists in the mind, when it is not fulfilled, one commits unwholesome karma; because hatred exists in the mind, when things do not go as one wishes, hatred arises; because the mind is often deluded, ignorant of good and evil, right and wrong, benefit and harm, one commits unwholesome karma out of ignorance; because the sense of "I" is blazing within the mind, unable to be contained, it erupts, overpowering others and leading to unwholesome karma; because doubt exists in the mind, unable to ascertain the law of cause and effect regarding good and evil, one commits unwholesome karma.

All unwholesome karma is committed because of the "I"; all defilements arise because of the "I". This "I" is the root culprit. Without eradicating the view of self, one cycles through the three lower realms, unable to avoid the three evil destinies, suffering endless misery. Therefore, every Buddhist practitioner should resolve with great determination to subdue this root culprit and ultimately eliminate it. Only then can one leave suffering and attain happiness, find peace and tranquility within one's own mind, and bring peace to the world. Thus, eradicating the view of self benefits the world and blesses sentient beings, but the greatest beneficiary is oneself. Although there is no longer an "I", it is precisely the absence of this "I" that is truly good.