BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Saṅghādisesa Chapter 5— to keep the laity from being swayed by his arguments — they may authorize oneor more of their members to inform the lay community that the schismatic hascommitted this offense (see Pc 9) and explain why. If, unrepentant, he leaves to goelsewhere, they may send word to any Community he tries to join. Of course, if itturns out that the schismatic was actually in the right in his explanation of theDhamma and Vinaya, the efforts of the original Community will call unflatteringattention to its own behavior. This means that a Community is well advised to reflecton its own practice before bringing this rule to bear.All of this shows why schism is regarded so seriously: As the Buddha states in thesecond discourse on future dangers (AN V.78), it is difficult to find time to practicewhen the Community is embroiled in controversy this way.Summary: To persist — after the third announcement of a formal rebuke in ameeting of the Community — in trying to form a schismatic group or in taking up aposition that can lead to schism is a saṅghādisesa offense.11. Should bhikkhus — one, two, or three — who are followers andpartisans of that bhikkhu, say, "Do not, venerable sirs, admonish thatbhikkhu in any way. He is an exponent of the Dhamma. He is anexponent of the Vinaya. He acts with our consent and approval. Heknows, he speaks for us, and that is pleasing to us," the bhikkhus areto admonish them thus: "Do not say that, venerable sirs. That bhikkhuis not an exponent of the Dhamma and he is not an exponent of theVinaya. Do not, venerable sirs, approve of a schism in the Community.Let the venerable ones' (minds) be reconciled with the Community,for a united Community, on courteous terms, without dispute, with acommon recitation, dwells in peace."And should those bhikkhus, thus admonished by the bhikkhus, persist as before, thebhikkhus are to rebuke them up to three times so as to desist. If while beingrebuked up to three times they desist, that is good. If they do not desist, it entailsinitial and subsequent meetings of the Community.If the schismatic mentioned in the preceding rule begins to attract adherents, theyare to be treated under this rule — and quickly, before the schismatic gains a fourthadherent. The reasons are these:1) One Community cannot impose a penalty on another Community (four ormore bhikkhus) in any one transaction (Mv.IX.2).2) Penalties of this sort may be imposed only with the unanimous agreementof all the bhikkhus present in the meeting. If there is a fourth adherentpresent in the meeting, his protest can invalidate the rebuke.129