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4.6 - Followers of the Buddha

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Formation of the Sangha

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, let's discuss the Sangha, the community founded by the Buddha. Can anyone tell me what the Sangha represents?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it like a religious community?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The Sangha is indeed a community of monks and nuns who follow the Buddha's teachings. Initially, it only included men, but later women were also allowed to join. Can anyone tell me who was instrumental in this decision?

Student 2
Student 2

Wasn't it Ananda?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, Ananda did play a key role in advocating for the inclusion of women, which highlights the Sangha’s evolving nature. Now, let's remember that the word 'sangha' means community or assembly. Think of the acronym: S.A.N.G.H.A. - 'S[ocial] A[ssembly of] N[oble] G[roup].' This represents the purpose of the Sangha.

Student 3
Student 3

What about the roles of women in the Sangha?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. She and many others contributed significantly to the teachings. Let's summarize: the Sangha was inclusive and allowed for a diverse array of individuals. This points to a core teaching of the Buddha, which is equality among all beings.

Equality within the Sangha

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's look at how the Sangha embodied the principles of equality. How did following the Buddha’s teachings impact people from different backgrounds?

Student 1
Student 1

It meant they could all be equal, regardless of their social status before.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! Once they became bhikkhus or bhikkhunis, their previous identities didn't matter. They formed a united community. Can anyone think of how decisions were made in the Sangha?

Student 2
Student 2

Were they made by a vote or discussion?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Consensus and discussion were key aspects of decision-making. This reflects values of cooperation and respect. Remember, unity in diversity is crucial here. Think of the mnemonic: U.N.I.T.Y. - 'U[nderstanding] N[ew] I[deas] T[hrough] Y[earning].'

Student 3
Student 3

So, everyone had a voice?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! That’s a wonderful takeaway. The vitality and engagement within the Sangha illustrate the democratic principles emphasized by the Buddha.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the structure and inclusivity of the Sangha, the community founded by the Buddha, emphasizing its diverse membership and the role of women.

Standard

The section explores the formation of the Buddha's community, the Sangha, highlighting its inclusive nature that allowed both men and women from various social strata to join. It details the contributions of women, such as Ananda and Mahapajapati Gotami, and underscores the Sangha's ethos of equality and communal decision-making.

Detailed

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Audio Book

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Formation of the Sangha

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Soon there grew a body of disciples of the Buddha and he founded a sangha, an organisation of monks who too became teachers of dhamma. These monks lived simply, possessing only the essential requisites for survival, such as a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. As they lived on alms, they were known as bhikkhus.

Detailed Explanation

The Sangha was a community formed by the Buddha to help spread his teachings. Monks in this community lived minimalist lifestyles that prioritized spiritual growth over material possessions. They depended on the local community for their meals, which is why they were called bhikkhus, meaning 'beggar' or 'one who lives on alms'. This simplicity allowed them to focus on meditation and teaching.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a modern-day volunteer community that focuses on helping others, where members live with minimal belongings to dedicate their time to service and learning. Just as they may live off support from the community around them, bhikkhus relied on the laypeople for food and basic needs.

Inclusion of Women

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Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted. According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha. The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theris, or respected women who had attained liberation.

Detailed Explanation

At first, the Buddha's monastic community was exclusively for men. However, Ananda played a crucial role in advocating for women's inclusion, leading to the ordination of Mahapajapati Gotami. This marked the beginning of women's participation in the Buddhist community, allowing them to also become teachers and inspire others. The term 'theri' refers to those women who achieved a high spiritual status within the Buddhist order.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine the fundamental changes in a society when women are recognized as leaders or educators in their own right. For instance, if a school previously allowed only male teachers begins to hire female instructors, it reflects the same principle of inclusion that transformed Buddhist monastic practices.

Diverse Followers

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The Buddha’s followers came from many social groups. They included kings, wealthy men and gahapatis, and also humbler folk: workers, slaves and craftspeople. Once within the sangha, all were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier social identities on becoming bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was arrived at through discussions. If that failed, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject.

Detailed Explanation

Buddhism attracted a varied group of followers from different backgrounds, including both high-status individuals like kings and commoners like workers. Once they became members of the sangha, all participants were treated equally, which was a radical idea at that time. Decisions within the sangha were made democratically, either through discussions or votes, encouraging involvement from all members.

Examples & Analogies

This situation can be compared to a community organization or a cooperative business where everyone, regardless of their background or status, has an equal say in decisions. It promotes a sense of unity and shared purpose that can lead to stronger relationships and collaboration.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Inclusivity in the Sangha: The structure of the Sangha was not limited to men; it eventually allowed women to join and participate equally.

  • Role of Ananda: Ananda was pivotal in advocating for the ordination of women, thus promoting greater inclusivity in the Sangha.

  • Social Equality: The Sangha represented a significant shift towards equality, where previous social standings were set aside upon ordination.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • Mahapajapati Gotami became the first female monk, showing that the teachings of the Buddha embraced gender equality.

  • Members of the Sangha came from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, allowing for a rich exchange of ideas and teachings.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • The Buddha’s sangha, strong and free, / Both men and women, a family!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once there was a wise monk who believed everyone, including women, should learn the teachings of the Buddha. His wise counsel changed hearts, allowing all to join the Sangha together.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • B.A.M.E. for the Sangha: Buddha, Ananda, Mahapajapati, Equality.

🎯 Super Acronyms

S.A.N.G.H.A - S[ocial] A[ssembly of] N[oble] G[roup].

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Sangha

    Definition:

    The community of monks and nuns established by the Buddha, characterized by shared teachings and egalitarian principles.

  • Term: Bhikkhu/Bhikkhuni

    Definition:

    Male (bhikkhu) and female (bhikkhuni) monks in the Buddhist community.

  • Term: Ananda

    Definition:

    One of the Buddha’s closest disciples who advocated for the ordination of women into the Sangha.

  • Term: Mahapajapati Gotami

    Definition:

    The Buddha's aunt and foster mother, recognized as the first female monk in the Sangha.