Schism in the Saṅgha

Iti 18 · Saṅghabhedasutta

A windswept pine growing from a crevice in weathered granite.

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“One thing, mendicants, arises in the world for the detriment and unhappiness of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans. What one thing? Schism in the Saṅgha. When the Saṅgha is split, they argue, insult, block, and forsake each other. This doesn’t inspire confidence in those without it, and it causes some with confidence to change their minds.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“A schismatic remains for the eon in a place of loss, in hell. Taking a stand against the teaching, favoring factions, they ruin their sanctuary. After causing schism in a harmonious Saṅgha, they burn in hell for an eon.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Connections

Collection & context

ItivuttakaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.