The Schism Edict, referred to as the Kaushambi edict by Cunningham, is a command from the emperor addressing the senior officials (Mahamatras) of Kaushambi urging them to avoid dissension and stay united.
The following is a conflation of various fragmented versions of the edict:
The Beloved of the Gods orders the officers of Kauśāmbī/Pāṭa[liputra] thus:
No one is to cause dissention in the Order.
The Order of monks and nuns has been united, and this unity should last for as long as my sons and great grandsons, and the moon and the sun.
Whoever creates a schism in the Order, whether monk or nun, is to be dressed in white garments, and to be put in a place not inhabited by monks or nuns.
For it is my wish that the Order should remain united and endure for long.
This is to be made known to the Order of monks and the Order of nuns.
Thus says the Beloved of the Gods: You must keep one copy of this document and place it in your meeting hall, and give one copy to the laity.
The laymen must come on every uposatha day [day of confession and penance] to endorse this order.
The same applies to special officers who must also regularly attend the uposatha, and endorse this order, and make it known.
Throughout your district you must circulate it exactly according to this text.
You must also have this precise text circulated in all the fortress districts [under military control].
The Schism Edict, referred to as the Kaushambi edict by Cunningham, is a command from the emperor addressing the senior officials (Mahamatras) of Kaushambi urging them to avoid dissension and stay united. The following is a conflation of various fragmented versions of the edict:
The Beloved of the Gods orders the officers of Kauśāmbī/Pāṭa[liputra] thus:
No one is to cause dissention in the Order. The Order of monks and nuns has been united, and this unity should last for as long as my sons and great grandsons, and the moon and the sun. Whoever creates a schism in the Order, whether monk or nun, is to be dressed in white garments, and to be put in a place not inhabited by monks or nuns. For it is my wish that the Order should remain united and endure for long. This is to be made known to the Order of monks and the Order of nuns. Thus says the Beloved of the Gods: You must keep one copy of this document and place it in your meeting hall, and give one copy to the laity. The laymen must come on every uposatha day [day of confession and penance] to endorse this order. The same applies to special officers who must also regularly attend the uposatha, and endorse this order, and make it known. Throughout your district you must circulate it exactly according to this text. You must also have this precise text circulated in all the fortress districts [under military control].
Allahabad pillar