Has there ever been a systematic persecution of Buddhist heretics? I was reading about the Cathars, and was really struck by the scale of persecution by Christians of Christian heretics.

Obviously there are reasons for that besides not meditating well enough. But in the 2,500 year history of Buddhism all I can think of in those terms is some political manoeuvring in Tibet, and arguments.


Has there ever been a systematic persecution of Buddhist heretics
King Asoka liked the Dhamma so much that he lavished the monks with robes, food and medicine...

This attracted many fake monks...

Monks were beheaded in an effort to find the imposters but that didn't work.

They started the third council to purify the monastic order by questioning monks to find out who knew the Dhamma and who held heretical views so they could  expell the real imposters   from the Sangha.