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General
Buddhism |
Namo Sanghaya !
Hail to the Spiritual Community
THE SANGHA
CONTENTS
What is the Sangha?
Some general notes on ordination
To clarify, there can be some confusion in the way the Sanskrit word Sangha
is commonly used. In fact, there are three distinct definitions:
1. A currently popular definition is to include all Buddhist practitioners.
2. Most generally applied term includes only the community of ordained monks
and nuns.
3. A more strict definition from the scriptures applies to the practitioners
who have at least realized emptiness.
During his life, the Buddha gave advice to many people on ways to avoid distraction from following the spiritual path. The Buddha never actually taught "a set" of monks or nuns vows, but these vows have been gathered later on by Buddhist Masters from the teachings of the Buddha. It proved that monasteries and nunneries would be essential in preserving the Buddhist teachings and practice. One could say that monasteries are the "power plants" of the Buddhist tradition.
SOME GENERAL NOTES ON ORDINATION
- To be a Buddhist, one does not need to be ordained as monk or nun. Even
to become a Buddha, ordination is strictly spoken not necessary - although
it may be very wise to avoid distraction.
- To become a monk or nun, one should at least have taken refuge.
Next, with a limited number of vows (always including celibacy) one can become
a novice. Later, by committing oneself to a very extensive set of vows, one
can become a fully ordained monk or nun.
- A monk or nun is usually not a fully enlightened being. One should consider
this when looking at monks or nuns. Like everyone of us, they are only trying
their best at living a spiritual life and they have their vows to keep.
- In general, all traditions use virtually the same sets of vows. Celibacy
(no sex) is always part of the monks and nuns (novice) vows.
- Depending on the tradition, the vows are taken for life or a shorter period.
For example, in Thailand it is even tradition that virtually all men become
novices and live at a monastery for at least for a short period during their
youth. In the Tibetan tradition, taking monks or nuns vows is basically for
life, although the vows can be given back if one feels one cannot keep them.
- It is considered important to try and receive teachings about the vows before
and after being ordained. For people wanting to be ordained by His Holiness
the Dalai Lama himself, often a special possibility exists after his Losar
teachings (usually end of February) in Dharamsala, India. Tushita
Retreat Centre is making a habit of organizing special teachings for the
newly ordained Sangha.
- It may be confusing at times, but not everyone who wears robes may be a
monk or nun. For example, there is a Tibetan tradition of often long-haired
practitioners who are not ordained, although they wear similar robes.
Some interesting web links:
More teachings about the Sangha can be found on the FPMT
Website.
An extensive (Theravada) view on the life of monks and nuns for lay people
is found on the
Access to Insight website.
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Last updated: January 26, 2001
