XV. What Constitutes the Offense of Schism (Saṅghabheda)

Schism refers to causing division among monastics, whether within a formal monastic community or outside it. A group of four or more fully ordained monastics—those who have received the full ordination (upasampadā) and possess the precept-substance of renunciation—constitutes a Sangha community. If conflicts are stirred up within such a community, reducing it to three or fewer monastics, the Sangha community is disbanded. Those responsible for disbanding the Sangha community commit the karma leading to the Avīci Hell (the unintermittent hell), resulting in rebirth there upon death.

For groups of fewer than three monastics, though not formally called a Sangha community, they are still considered monastic members. Stirring up disputes or sowing discord among them is called "inciting quarrels among monastics" (kalahavivāda). This offense also constitutes karma leading to hell.

Even a single monastic leading disciples, though not forming a formal Sangha community, may wield significant influence in Buddhism. To disrupt the relationship between such a teacher and disciples, causing their bond to splinter, constitutes grave negative karma. If the monastic holds a particularly distinguished position, exerting pivotal influence on Buddhism's future and development while possessing great spiritual magnetism (attractiveness to beings), then slandering such a figure or causing their disciples to scatter incurs exceptionally severe karma. This karma far exceeds that of destroying other Sangha communities and undoubtedly constitutes Avīci Hell karma.