The Sanga
The Three Refuges –
•the Buddha himself (as a role model and inspiration)
•the Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha)
•the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns)
What is the Sangha?
Øit means assembly (a group of people)
Øit describes the community of people who follow the Buddha and his teachings (Dhamma)
Øpart of the 3 Jewels
Buddhist nuns
•When women first wanted to join the Sangha the Buddha refused.
•Eventually the Buddha was persuaded to relent but with some controversial conditions.
•The Buddha said that if women were allowed to join the Sangha then his teachings would only last 500 years rather than 1000.
•He also placed restrictions on nuns that meant they had to be subservient to male monks.
"A man who wishes to be my disciple must be willing to give up all direct relations with his family, the social life of the world and all dependence on wealth."
Monks and nuns (bhikkus and bhikkunis) ütry to live exactly as the Buddha did. Some enter for a short time to experience the disciplined life, others commit for a lifetime..
The aim - gain enlightenment
Vihara - monasteries where Buddha’s followers live
The vihara creates the best possible conditions for a person to make spiritual progress
A vihara (monastery) is considered to benefit all who live around it
The function of the Sangha was made clear when the Buddha first sent his Bhikkus into the world. "Go out on your journey for the profit of many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare and bliss of mankind. Proclaim the Dhamma."
