iti.19 Itivuttaka

Unity in the Sangha

This was said by the Lord…

“There is one thing, bhikkhus, which, when it appears in the world, appears for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, for the good, welfare, and happiness of devas and humans. What is that one thing? It is unity in the Sangha. When the Sangha is united there are no mutual quarrels, mutual recriminations, mutual denigrations, and mutual expulsions. In this situation those who are unsympathetic are converted and those who are sympathetic increase in faith.”

Pleasant is unity in the Sangha.
One who helps those in unity,
Who delights in unity and is righteous,
Is not deprived of security from bondage.
By making the Sangha united
He rejoices in heaven for an aeon.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Harmony in the Saṅgha

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“One thing, mendicants, arises in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.
What one thing?
Harmony in the Saṅgha.
When the Saṅgha is in harmony, they don’t argue, insult, block, or reject each other.
This inspires confidence in those without it, and increases confidence in those who have it.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“A Saṅgha in harmony is happy,
as is support for those in harmony.
Taking a stand on the teaching,
favoring harmony, they ruin no sanctuary.
After creating harmony in the Saṅgha,
they rejoice in heaven for an eon.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.