The Nirvana Sutra says: “Chunda spoke once more, asking, ‘What is the meaning of the term icchantika?’ The Buddha said: ‘Chunda, suppose there should be monks or nuns, laymen or laywomen who speak careless and evil words and slander the correct teaching, and that they should go on committing these grave acts without ever showing any inclination to reform or any sign of repentance in their hearts. Persons of this kind I would say are following the path of the icchantika. Again there may be those who commit the four grave offenses or are guilty of the five cardinal sins, and who, though aware that they are guilty of serious faults, from the beginning have no trace of fear or contrition in their hearts or, if they do, give no outward sign of it. When it comes to the correct teaching, they show no inclination to protect, treasure, and establish it over the ages, but rather speak of it with malice and contempt, their words replete with error. Persons of this kind too I would say are following the path of the icchantika.’” It also says, “Good man, there are icchantikas, or persons of incorrigible disbelief. They pretend to be arhats, living in deserted places and speaking slanderously of the correct and equal sutras of the great vehicle. When ordinary people see them, they all suppose that they are true arhats and speak of them as great bodhisattvas.”
Although the sins of such a person are very great, in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha talks of His evil and jealous cousin Devadatta becoming a Buddha, even though he had tried to kill the Buddha and caused a great schism in the Sangha. Given the nature of impermanence, all worldly things change, and all living beings, even those who commit the most heinous acts will eventually become Buddhas.
Why is giving up on life or even committing suicide such a horrible evil? Because you are killing a Buddha, or potential Buddha. No matter how dark it may seem, never doubt your intrinsic being. All living beings—ants, cockroaches, and even you—do have Buddha-nature and will become Buddhas.
Erroneous View #59: THE VIEW THAT ONE WITH THE THOUGHTS OR CONDUCT OF AN ICCHANTIKA IS AN EMINENT MONASTIC
Some eminent monastics have very high status and are widely held in high repute. However, perhaps they had the thought of committing suicide or were so sad they no longer wanted to live. These are the thoughts or conduct of an icchantika. Amitabha Buddha will not escort to the Western Paradise one with the thoughts or conduct of an icchantika. How could such a person be an eminent monastic? No matter what status or position he may have, he is not an eminent monastic. This is a serious violation of the teachings of the Buddha.
An icchantika is a person with a dark mind. But when change comes the icchantika also changes when Good circumstanses appear and the buddanature who can never be destroyed will be shown in that person again and he will be on the path to final liberation. Nirvana.