The Karmic Danger of Slander: Kokālika Thero’s Warning
False accusations look harmless on the surface. People repeat them casually, use them jokingly, and pass judgment on others without checking facts. Society treats this behavior as normal, almost entertainment. Yet in the teachings of the Supreme Buddha, this is not normal at all. According to noble Dhamma, a person who knowingly blames an innocent being, especially a virtuous one, generates extremely dark kamma. The Pali phrase Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti means one who speaks what is not true about others falls into hell. It is a serious warning delivered directly by the Buddha himself.
This teaching becomes crystal clear when we look at the devastating story of Kokālika Thero, a monk who slandered two of the greatest arahants, Sāriputta thero and Moggallāna thero. His kammic consequence was horrifying. He was reborn in the Pink Lotus Hell, also known as Paduma Niraya, for an unimaginably long period. By studying the Kokālika Sutta, we understand how venomous harmful speech can be and how far-reaching the results of false accusations truly are.
This article explains the meaning of Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti, the story behind Kokālika Thero, detailed descriptions of hell durations from the scriptures, the Buddha’s warnings, and how this teaching applies to us today. This is not just ancient history. It is a powerful reminder for anyone living in the modern world, where gossip, slander, and online accusations spread faster than ever.
What Does Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti Really Mean
Abhutavadi means one who speaks untrue things about another person. Nirayam Upeti means goes to hell. The Buddha describes this as a direct kammic pathway. If someone intentionally blames another person for something they have not done, especially with anger, jealousy, or ill intention, the result is extremely serious.
False accusations damage someone’s dignity. They destroy trust and create disharmony in society. Untruthful words become like an axe hidden in your own mouth. Every swing harms you before harming anyone else. This is the Buddha’s beautiful and frightening metaphor. Words do not disappear after being spoken. They carry weight and create karmic energy that circles back to the speaker.
Why the Buddha Stressed the Danger of Unfounded Accusations
Most people think slander is not a big issue. They joke about others, accuse others during anger, and spread rumors for fun. But in Dhamma, slander is one of the worst forms of misconduct. It belongs to wrong speech and generates deep suffering. Buddha explains that three qualities make slander extremely dangerous.
1. It is a violation of truth
The Buddha valued truth as a sacred quality. Truth uplifts. Lies destroy. When someone presents false information as truth, they distort the natural order of morality.
2. It intentionally harms another being
Unfounded accusations cause pain, loss, and emotional wounds. Sometimes the damage lasts for years or even a lifetime. Kamma intensifies when intention is harmful.
3. It creates heavy mental defilements
Jealousy, resentment, and spitefulness strengthen within the mind. These qualities darken one’s consciousness and open the doorway to unfortunate rebirth.
The story of Kokālika Thero is the perfect example of these three dangers unfolding together.
The Story of Kokālika Thero: A Warning from the Buddha Himself
The Buddha was staying at Jetavana Monastery when Kokālika Thero approached him and claimed that Sāriputta and Moggallāna had impure intentions. This accusation was completely false. These two disciples were not ordinary monks. They were the chief disciples of the Buddha and fully enlightened arahants.
When Kokālika repeated the accusation, the Buddha warned him each time to stop speaking such words. The Buddha said, do not say this. Have confidence in Sāriputta and Moggallāna. They are virtuous monks. Kokālika ignored the warning. His mind was filled with resentment and jealousy. He continued spreading lies.
Soon his body broke out with painful boils. The boils grew large and burst. Kokālika died from this suffering and was immediately reborn in the Pink Lotus Hell because of his hatred and false accusations toward enlightened beings.
The Confirmation from Sahampati Brahma
That same night, Sahampati Brahma visited the Buddha. He illuminated the monastery and confirmed Kokālika’s unfortunate rebirth in Paduma Hell. Even celestial beings regard false speech toward noble ones as extremely dangerous. This is a universal moral law recognized not only in the human realm but in divine realms as well.
The Monks’ Question and the Shockingly Long Hell Duration
The next day, the monks asked the Buddha how long a life in the Pink Lotus Hell lasts. The Buddha used a powerful simile to explain.
Imagine a mountain of sesame seeds. Every hundred years, remove one seed. Even after all the seeds are gone, the lifespan in the Abbuda Hell would still not be over. And Pink Lotus Hell is twenty times longer than Abbuda. Then twenty times longer again for the next hell, and so on through nine levels.
The numbers grow beyond ordinary imagination. Some calculations reach into quintillions of years. The figure 512 appears repeatedly in different forms. Whether through multipliers or verse calculations, 512 symbolizes an unimaginably long time. It represents suffering far beyond human limits.
The Buddha used these calculations not as mathematical data but as a teaching tool to impress the seriousness of the result. The mind cannot grasp the length of such suffering. That is the point. The consequences of slander are vast.
Powerful Verses from the Kokālika Sutta
The Sutta ends with verses that cut straight to the heart.
One verse explains that a person is born with an axe in their mouth. When they speak harmful words, they cut themselves with their own axe. Another verse says that someone who harms a noble and innocent person sends the evil back onto themselves like fine dust thrown against the wind. The Buddha also says that a liar goes to hell and so does the one who denies what they have done. Both face the same consequences.
The descriptions of hell include red hot iron, boiling pots, sword leaf forests, and painful tortures. These images remind us of the extreme suffering caused by unwholesome kamma.
The Moral of the Story: The Weight of Wrong Speech
This Sutta is a clear warning. Wrong speech is not a small matter. Words can send someone to rebirth in lower realms for extremely long periods. Especially when the victim is virtuous, innocent, or noble. The Buddha always emphasized the power of speech because speech shapes reality. It builds or destroys relationships, reputations, and inner peace.
Unfounded accusations may seem normal in daily life. People spread rumors quickly in this digital age. Social media makes it easy to attack others anonymously. But Dhamma reminds us that everything we say becomes part of our karmic record.
How This Teaching Applies in the Modern World
We live in a time where accusations spread in seconds. People share rumors, post comments, and criticize others without hesitation. This is exactly why Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti is more relevant today than ever before.
1. Social media slander
Online platforms encourage quick reactions. People accuse others without checking facts. They write harsh comments that ruin reputations.
2. Workplace gossip
Small misunderstandings become exaggerated stories. Colleagues blame each other to gain advantage or escape responsibility.
3. Family conflicts
Arguments lead to unfair accusations. Emotional hurt creates long lasting wounds.
4. Political and social division
People attack groups or individuals without understanding the complete truth.
False accusations are no longer rare. They are everywhere. This makes the Buddha’s warning absolutely essential.
How to Protect Yourself from the Kamma of False Accusation
There are simple but powerful steps.
Think before you speak
Ask yourself if the information is true, beneficial, and necessary.
Avoid speaking when angry
Anger distorts judgment.
Be humble
Accept that you may not always know the full story.
Respect the reputation of others
A person’s dignity is precious.
Follow Right Speech
Speak what is true, gentle, meaningful, and timely.
The best protection is mindfulness.
Why the Buddha’s Teachings Use Strong Warnings
Some people wonder why the Buddha used such strong imagery. The answer is compassion. Humans forget easily. We ignore gentle warnings. Sometimes only a powerful shock can wake us up. By showing how dangerous slander is, the Buddha encourages us to protect ourselves from future suffering.
Understanding the Deeper Meaning Behind Hell Descriptions
These hells can be understood in two ways.
Literal interpretation
There are real hell realms where beings experience suffering due to their karma.
Psychological interpretation
Unwholesome actions create mental hells in this life. Guilt, fear, stress, and emotional pain become real torture.
The Buddha used both levels of meaning to guide people toward wisdom.
Kokālika Thero and the Human Tendency Toward Jealousy
Jealousy creates blind spots. Kokālika felt overshadowed by the chief disciples. He wanted recognition and respect. This led him to criticize them unfairly. This same tendency exists within humans today. When we feel inferior, we attack others. Kokālika’s story reminds us to observe our minds and never allow jealousy to influence our speech.
The Importance of Trusting Noble People
The Buddha’s warning to Kokālika was clear. Have confidence in those who are virtuous. Do not doubt the ones who live a noble life. When people of strong moral character are accused falsely, the karmic result becomes heavier. This principle teaches society to honor goodness and protect the reputation of the righteous.
A Final Reflection
Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti is not a small phrase. It is a doorway to deep understanding. Words have power. They create worlds. They destroy worlds. When used wrongly, they generate dark karma that follows a person beyond this life. When used wisely, they lead to peace, trust, and harmony.
The story of Kokālika Thero is not meant to frighten but to awaken. It shows the consequences of careless speech and guides us toward mindful communication. The Buddha’s compassion shines through this warning. By avoiding false accusations, we protect both ourselves and others from suffering.
Conclusion
Unfounded accusations may appear normal in daily life, but they carry enormous karmic weight. The Buddha’s teaching Abhutavadi Nirayam Upeti clearly states that one who speaks falsehood about another person, especially a noble or innocent one, creates powerful negative karma that leads to unfortunate rebirth. Kokālika Thero’s story is a living example of this truth.
In a world full of noise, gossip, and misinformation, this teaching is more important than ever. Mindful speech is not just moral discipline. It is protection for your life, your mind, and your future. Before speaking about another person, pause and reflect. Truthfulness builds a happier life. Falsehood destroys it. Choose wisely. Speak with kindness, clarity, and compassion.
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