Practices in BuddhismThe Sangha

Sangha, meaning ‘company’ or ‘community’, refers to the monastic communities of monks and nuns across the Buddhist world. The Sangha has kept Buddhist texts safe over the centuries and has interpreted and taught Buddhist philosophy. The Sangha has also provided inspiration and guidance on how to live a good Buddhist life.

The Three Jewels

It is believed that the Buddha did not name a successor as he neared the end of his life. He did not consider himself a leader, but someone who had understood the truth of the universe. He suggested his followers should live by the Dhamma, which is his teachings about this truth. Therefore the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns, was created to support each other in living according to the Dhamma.

Buddhists have Three Jewels (also called the Triratna or Three Refuges). These are:

• the Buddha himself (as a role model and inspiration)
• the Dhamma (the teachings of the Buddha)
• the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns)

Dhammapada 360-9

These verses refer to the rules bhikkus live by, such as showing restraint and living by the Dhamma.

The verses also suggest that bhikkus live lives of contentment, freedom and ‘bliss’ (verse 368).

Monks and nuns

The Sangha generally refers to orders of monks and nuns who have chosen a life that focuses entirely on the Dhamma. They live according to the rules of the order of monks or nuns they join. These rules are called the vinaya, meaning ‘discipline’.

Monks and nuns can be referred to as bhikku. The word literally means ‘beggar’, as the Buddha and his followers owned nothing and asked for food, having renounced the world completely. Buddhist communities are happy to give to food, clothing and other necessities to the monks and nuns because they have renounced material wealth and family life to devote themselves to the dhamma. This means that Buddhist monks and nuns provide important spiritual help and guidance for the lay community. Today, Buddhist monks and nuns may generate income by holding meditation classes and offering services or selling things that may benefit the community.

Orders of monks and nuns follow strict rules of conduct, such as no sexual relations, eating only before midday and refraining from gossip. Between midday and the following day, monks chant, meditate and study. They also keep the monastery clean and neat. Monks own very little, often just their robes and belt, a food bowl, a needle and thread to mend their robes, and a razor to shave their hair.

The Ten Precepts

All Buddhists should follow the Five Precepts, but bhikkus (Buddhist monks and nuns) live by Ten Precepts. As well as following the Five Precepts (avoid killing, avoid theft, avoid sexual misconduct, avoid falsehood and avoid intoxication), bhikkus refrain from:

• eating after midday
• dancing, singing and music
• personal adornment
• luxurious beds or chairs
• possessing money, gold or silver

Lay Sangha

The monastic orders and the wider Buddhist community are intimately connected. Buddhism is not just for monks and nuns but for the whole community. The lay Sangha describes the non-ordained members of the Buddhist community.

Bhikkus receive food every day from the lay community in a systematic way. At festivals, the lay community donate to the monastery and temple, making offerings of food and new robes, and helping with cleaning or building work. The bhikku support the lay community in their spiritual understanding through leading meditation, chanting and worship, and offering classes.