Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
Topic 3: The Sangha
3.1 Introduction to the Sangha and Monks
● Sangha means “spiritual community” (3rd refuge/jewel) (1st Buddha, 2nd Dharma, 3rd
Sangha)
● it is for all those who follow Buddhism (some say the Sangha is just the bhikkhu community)
● it divides into 2 groups:
○ monks+nuns (monastic) (Bhikkhus=men) ( bhikkhunis=women)
○ lay Buddhists (normal) (upasakas=men) upasikas=women)
3.1.1 Most important refuge?
BUDDHA? DHARMA? SANGHA?
Without him, wouldn’t have the Buddha died – now what’s most Best examples for how to practise
other two important is Dharma Buddhism and attain Enlightenment
Best example of enlightened life Find your own path but means Preserves and passes on Dharma
nothing without this guide
3.1.2 Monk/nuns (bhikkhus/bhikkhunis)
● monks and nuns are known as bhikkhus (set up by Buddha)
● important people in the early monastic Sangha were:
○ The Buddha (set up the monastic Sangha)
○ Buddha’s son Rahula at age 7 became ordained (after he became enlightened) and
became chief of novices (not yet fully ordained monks)
● the purpose of setting up the order of monks and later nuns:
1. to provide a community that would give the optimum opportunity for its members to
practice the Dharma and attain Nirvana
2. to transmit Dharma + be witness to its transforming power (changing power for better)
● artists, social workers, scholars physicians (doctors) and even rulers ( however there
have always been monks and nuns who have lived simple lives, meditating, teaching and
gently influencing the communities around them)
● initially monks/nuns travelled from place to place to teach (stopping only during rainy season)
● a change took place during the Buddha’s lifetime when lay Buddhists donated parks as
permanent residences (monasteries/ vihara meaning “resting places”)
● the point was to:
○ members of the order could hold discussions on the Dharma and instruct newcomers
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
, Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
○ more opportunities to interact with the lay followers in order to instruct them
● these residences grew into institutions which had many facilities
● within a few hundred years of the death of the Buddha monasteries of this type were common
3.1.3 Why become a monk?
● provides an environment which helps to get enlightenment
● get a peaceful lifestyle
● helpful mental training
● opportunity to witness the transforming the power of the Dharma
● not a lifetime expectation/commitment but young male Buddhists are expected to spend
some time in a monastery
● being a monk can gain karmic merit for yourself and your family
● becoming well-respected in the community
3.1.4 Entering a monastery
● when a person wants to join the monastic sangha he is first ordained as a novice/samanera
● he is asked to shave off his hair (renunciation of the worldly life) and put on a robe appropriate
to the monastic tradition he has entered)
● the preceptor (a senior monk) then ordains him
● the preceptor and an instructor are then given the responsibility for guiding the novice through
his period of monastic training
● at end of this period novice may receive higher ordination as monk (bhikkhu) or a nun
(bhikkhuni)
3.1.5 Ordination (1) to become Novice/samanera (beginner)
● ordination begins with a formal request (could be refused)
● gets a set of robes
● shaves his head
● then approaches the senior monk and pays his respects by bowing three times and gives the
senior monk his set of robes
● applicant asks formally for robes back (symbolic accepting as novice into monastic
community)
● the senior monk makes the novice say the Three Refuges and the 10 precepts (5 more than a
lay Buddhist must follow)
● Finally, as a novice, he requests the senior monk to be his Preceptor (mentor)
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
1
Topic 3: The Sangha
3.1 Introduction to the Sangha and Monks
● Sangha means “spiritual community” (3rd refuge/jewel) (1st Buddha, 2nd Dharma, 3rd
Sangha)
● it is for all those who follow Buddhism (some say the Sangha is just the bhikkhu community)
● it divides into 2 groups:
○ monks+nuns (monastic) (Bhikkhus=men) ( bhikkhunis=women)
○ lay Buddhists (normal) (upasakas=men) upasikas=women)
3.1.1 Most important refuge?
BUDDHA? DHARMA? SANGHA?
Without him, wouldn’t have the Buddha died – now what’s most Best examples for how to practise
other two important is Dharma Buddhism and attain Enlightenment
Best example of enlightened life Find your own path but means Preserves and passes on Dharma
nothing without this guide
3.1.2 Monk/nuns (bhikkhus/bhikkhunis)
● monks and nuns are known as bhikkhus (set up by Buddha)
● important people in the early monastic Sangha were:
○ The Buddha (set up the monastic Sangha)
○ Buddha’s son Rahula at age 7 became ordained (after he became enlightened) and
became chief of novices (not yet fully ordained monks)
● the purpose of setting up the order of monks and later nuns:
1. to provide a community that would give the optimum opportunity for its members to
practice the Dharma and attain Nirvana
2. to transmit Dharma + be witness to its transforming power (changing power for better)
● artists, social workers, scholars physicians (doctors) and even rulers ( however there
have always been monks and nuns who have lived simple lives, meditating, teaching and
gently influencing the communities around them)
● initially monks/nuns travelled from place to place to teach (stopping only during rainy season)
● a change took place during the Buddha’s lifetime when lay Buddhists donated parks as
permanent residences (monasteries/ vihara meaning “resting places”)
● the point was to:
○ members of the order could hold discussions on the Dharma and instruct newcomers
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
1
, Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
○ more opportunities to interact with the lay followers in order to instruct them
● these residences grew into institutions which had many facilities
● within a few hundred years of the death of the Buddha monasteries of this type were common
3.1.3 Why become a monk?
● provides an environment which helps to get enlightenment
● get a peaceful lifestyle
● helpful mental training
● opportunity to witness the transforming the power of the Dharma
● not a lifetime expectation/commitment but young male Buddhists are expected to spend
some time in a monastery
● being a monk can gain karmic merit for yourself and your family
● becoming well-respected in the community
3.1.4 Entering a monastery
● when a person wants to join the monastic sangha he is first ordained as a novice/samanera
● he is asked to shave off his hair (renunciation of the worldly life) and put on a robe appropriate
to the monastic tradition he has entered)
● the preceptor (a senior monk) then ordains him
● the preceptor and an instructor are then given the responsibility for guiding the novice through
his period of monastic training
● at end of this period novice may receive higher ordination as monk (bhikkhu) or a nun
(bhikkhuni)
3.1.5 Ordination (1) to become Novice/samanera (beginner)
● ordination begins with a formal request (could be refused)
● gets a set of robes
● shaves his head
● then approaches the senior monk and pays his respects by bowing three times and gives the
senior monk his set of robes
● applicant asks formally for robes back (symbolic accepting as novice into monastic
community)
● the senior monk makes the novice say the Three Refuges and the 10 precepts (5 more than a
lay Buddhist must follow)
● Finally, as a novice, he requests the senior monk to be his Preceptor (mentor)
Raphael Mizrahi 4C
2
