The Buddhist Community

The Sangha

The Sangha represents the Buddhist community of ordained monks and nuns.
They follow the Vinaya Pitaka, the first book of the Buddhist scriptures, which describes the rules for monks and nuns.
The Sangha plays a crucial role in preserving and spreading the teachings of the Buddha.
Bhikkhus (monks) and Bhikkhunis (nuns) renounce worldly life to attain spiritual enlightenment through meditation and following the Buddha’s teachings.

Lay followers are essential members of the Buddhist community; they are not ordained but follow the teachings of Buddhism in their daily life.
They accept the Five Precepts — basic moral guidelines of Buddhism: refrain from taking life, stealing, sexual immorality, lying, and intoxication.
Lay followers support the Sangha by providing necessities such as food, clothing, and lodgings.

The Fourfold Sangha includes Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, lay men, and lay women and reflects the inclusivity of the Buddhist community.
It represents the ideal Buddhist community where both laypeople and ordained monks/nuns work in tandem for the propagation of the Dharma.

Ordained monks and nuns are expected to lead a life of strict discipline and devote their lives to the pursuit of Nirvana or enlightenment.
Lay followers are expected to lead moral lives, support the Sangha, and practise meditation and mindfulness.
The Sangha’s role involves preserving and transmitting the Buddhist teachings, providing spiritual guidance, performing religious functions, and acting as a moral compass for society.

Buddhism has evolved over time into many schools and traditions, each with their own interpretation of the Buddha’s teachings and practises.
Key branches include Theravada, seen as the most traditional form, and the more liberal Mahayana and Vajrayana.
The Sangha’s structure and role have evolved over time, with variations between different cultures and traditions.

Modern life and globalisation have brought challenges and changes to the Buddhist community, such as the emergence of Engaged Buddhism that applies Buddhist principles to social and political issues.
Some traditional monastic practises have been adapted or modified to suit modern life, such as accepting digital donations or conducting teachings online.
Buddhism is increasingly intersecting with science, with mindfulness and meditation becoming popular in modern healthcare and psychology.