slandering the Dharma　謗法 The gravest offense in Buddhism. The Eighteenth Vow excludes those who commit such an offense from liberation, as we read in the Vow: “. . . Excluded are those who commit the five grave offenses and those who slander the right Dharma.” Commenting on this passage, Shan-tao said, “The Tathagata, fearing that we would commit these two kinds of faults, seeks to stop us through compassionate means by declaring that we will then not be able to attain birth. This does not mean that we will not be grasped.” Following this, Shinran is of the opinion that when those who slander the Dharma, as well as other types of evil doers, turn about at heart, they all reach the Pure Land.