Those Who Cause the Good Teachings to Disappear (Second Discourse)

Monks, those Monks who explain the meaning and The Teachings by means of badly acquired discourses whose phrasing is an approximation [of the correct phrasing] are acting for the harm of many people, for the unhappiness of many people, for the ruin, harm, and suffering of many people, of heavenly beings and human beings.

These Monks generate much unwholesome Kamma and cause the good Teachings to disappear.

(Reference: AN 2.41)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how his Teachings would disappear based on decisions made by people to not share his Teachings in the way that he taught them, but instead, the teachings are “of badly acquired discourses whose phrasing is an approximation [of the correct phrasing]”.

The Buddha explains that an individual who modifies his Teachings is “acting for the harm of many people, the unhappiness of many people, for the ruin, harm, and suffering of many people, of heavenly beings and human beings”. Heavenly beings and human beings are able to attain Enlightenment while the other realms of hell, animal, and afflicted spirits are unable to attain Enlightenment. Therefore, one who modifies his Teachings is acting for the harm of heavenly and human beings as they would be unable to attain Enlightenment without The Teachings of a Buddha as a Buddha taught them.

One who modifies a Buddha’s Teachings “generate much unwholesome Kamma and cause these good wholesome Teachings to disappear” and it causes The Community to become divided no longer in harmony.