What is Schism in the Buddhist Order?

Sangha-splitting includes disrupting the Sangha and monks outside the Sangha. A group of four or more monastics is called a Sangha, and these four monastics must all have received full ordination and possess the monastic precepts. If disputes arise within the Sangha, reducing it to only three monks, it ceases to be a Sangha, and the Sangha is thus dissolved. Those who cause the Sangha to disband commit the karma leading to the Avici Hell, and upon death, they will receive the retribution of Avici Hell.

A monastic group smaller than three, though not called a Sangha, is still referred to as monastic practitioners. If one stirs up discord and sows division among them, it is called instigating conflict among monastics, and the sin also leads to hellish retribution. A single monastic leading disciples, though unable to form a Sangha, may still exert a significant influence on Buddhism. To sow discord between the master and disciples, splitting apart the master-disciple relationship, incurs extremely heavy negative karma. If this monastic holds a particularly special status, wielding pivotal influence on the future and development of Buddhism and possessing great spiritual influence over sentient beings, then slandering them or causing their disciples to split apart creates immensely profound negative karma. This karma greatly exceeds that of disrupting other Sanghas and is certainly Avici Hell karma.