About Sangha

“Freed am I, O Bhikkhus, from all bonds, taints and defilements, whether divine or human,
“You too, O Bhikkhus, are freed from all bonds, taints and defilements, whether divine or human.
“Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit and happiness of Gods and Men. Let not two go by one way. Preach O Bhikkhus, The Dhamma excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, excellent in the end, both in spirit and in the leer. Proclaim the Holy life, altogether perfect and pure.
“There are beings with lile dust in their eyes, who not hearing the Dhamma, will perish. There will be those who will understand The Dhamma.
“I, too, O Bhikkhus, will go to Uruwela in Senānigrāma, in order to preach the Dhamma.
“Hoist the flag of The Sage. Preach The Sublime Dhamma. Work for the good of others you who have done your duties (by becoming emancipated).”

— The Lord Buddha — to His first sixty enlightened and ordained
disciples who were sent forth to do Buddhist missionary service.

The Sangha is the Organization or the Order of the Monks (Bhikkhu Sangha) formed by The Buddha to practice the noble, spiritual, and holy path of homelessness leading to enlightenment.

Further to promote, preserve and spread The Dhamma in the service of world. The Sangha was established at Sarnath with The Buddha’s first five fully enlightened and ordained disciples namely the Great Arahants Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahānāma and Assaji Theros. Thereafter, the rich laymen Yasa Kulapua, (the son of a Noble family) and his friends were ordained by The Buddha and they became enlightened monks (Bhikkhus).

The Bhikkhu Sangha, grew quickly to 60 fully emancipated monks. The Buddha advised them with the above mentioned quote and they were asked to move in all the directions, wonder from place to place, to promote and propagate The Dhamma.

(The Sangha do not live in permanent homes like the laymen do. Neither do they dress in lay cloths and use utensils of the lays. Instead they live in forest hermitages or monasteries, cover themselves with robes and carry alms-bowls for food).

The Buddhist Sangha is the oldest and most appropriately constituted establishment in the world. After The Mahaparinibbāna of The Buddha, The Sangha took over the noble responsibility of preserving and promoting The Dhamma.

The Buddha’s Sangha are:

  • Of good conduct – suppatipanno
  • Of upright conduct – ujuppatipanno
  • Of wise conduct – nyāyappatipanno
  • Of dutiful conduct – sāmicippatipanno

The Buddha’s Sangha:

  • Is worthy of hospitality – ahuneyyo
  • Is worthy of receiving offerings specially set aside for guests – pahuneyya
  • Is worthy of gifts – dakkhineyyo
  • Is worthy of reverential salutation – anjalikaraniyo
  • Is an incomparable field of merit to the world – anuaram punnakkheam lokassa

These exceptional qualities of The Sangha make them the most venerable of communities in the world. Their most holy and blessed characteristics make the world respect and revere them.