What Is the Offense of Saṅgha Bheda?

Splitting the monastic community includes disrupting both the Sangha (monastic assembly) and monks not part of a formal Sangha. A group of four or more monastics who have received full ordination and possess the precept-body of a renunciant is called a Sangha. If conflict arises within such a Sangha, reducing it to only three monastics, it ceases to be a Sangha, and the community is thus dissolved. Those responsible for causing the dissolution of a Sangha commit the karma leading to the Avīci (Uninterrupted) Hell, and upon death, they will experience the karmic retribution of rebirth in Avīci Hell.

Groups of monastics numbering three or fewer, while not qualifying as a formal Sangha, are still considered part of the monastic community (Sangha). Stirring up discord and causing division within such a group is called "disrupting the monastic community," and the karmic offense also leads to rebirth in hell. A single monastic leading disciples, though not constituting a Sangha, can still exert considerable influence within Buddhism. Sowing discord between the teacher and disciples, causing their separation, constitutes a significant karmic offense. If this monastic holds a particularly special status, wielding decisive influence over the future and development of Buddhism and possessing great attractive influence over sentient beings, then slandering such a person or causing the dissolution of their disciples carries an exceptionally grave karmic offense. This offense is significantly greater than that of disrupting other Sanghas and certainly constitutes karma leading to Avīci Hell.