Sangha Research Paper

The Formation of the Sangha

The formation of the Sangha began after Buddha had attained enlightenment and was resting under the Bodhi Tree. He was visited by two merchants called Tapussa and Bhalluka who promptly took the two fold refuge in the Buddha and the Dharma. It was these two men as well as the original five ascetics who Buddha had originally practiced with, who formed the Sangha.

Buddha authorized admission into the Sangha and rules began to develop as the Sangha's code of conduct was formulated. To gain admittance into the Sangha, he hair and beard must be shaved off, a yellow robe adorned and arranged over one shoulder and homage must be paid at the monks feet. This became the "going forth" ceremony for all those wishing to
enter the Sangha.

The Sangha became an increasingly recognized presence as it grew from the original 7 monks to thousands. Monasteries (viharas) were built for the Sangha, one of the most famous was built on Prince Jeta's park and became the Jeta Grove Monastery. Ten rules were originally followed by the Sangha.

1. No taking of life.
2. No stealing.
3. No sexual intercourse (later changed to no wrongful sexual activity)
4. No lying
5.
No taking of intoxicants
6. No eating at the wrong time (after midday, before dawn)
7. No dancing or music
8. No decorations or cosmetics
9. No sleeping on raised beds.
10. No acceptance of money.
Buddhist evangelism by the Sangha usually consisted of a few monks entering a village and begging from door to door with their begging bowls, until they had enough for their one daily meal. They would then go to the outskirts of the town, often followed by those impressed. The monks would share with these followers their teachings before moving on to the next village.

Originally, although women could be ordained and become Buddhists, they could not leave their daily life and become part of the Sangha. Mahaprajapti, Buddha's aunt and foster mother, made the request for a female Sangha. She requested three times and was thrice refused, a sign of how opposed to this concept Buddha was.

It was not until Mahaprajapati and many Shakaya women followed Buddha on his return to the Great Forest Monastery that a junior monk, Ananda, said he would speak to Buddha on her behalf. He did so and Buddha eventually consented if the nuns agreed to eight conditions, on which the subordination of nuns
depended.

1.
A nun must always pay their respects to a monk as a junior to a senior, regardless of the actual seniority of the nun to the monk.
2. A nun must not spend the rainy season retreat in a place where there are no monks.
3. Every two weeks the nuns should expect the monks to appoint for them the day of the Uposatha observance and for a monk to come and instruct them.
4. At the end of the rainy season retreat a nun should invite criticism regarding her observation of the precepts from both the other nuns and from the monks.
5. A nun who has committed a grave offense should do penance before both the monks and the nuns.
6. A probationer who wishes to be a nun must seek admission from both the monks and the nuns after two years of
training.
7. A nun must not find fault with or abuse a monk.
8. From that day on the nuns are not allowed to teach the monks but the monks are allowed to teach the nuns.
Buddha stated after the admission of Mahaprajapati that the holy life commenced by the Buddha would now last only 500 years instead of 1000 because of the women's admission. It is possible that this was a prediction of the scandal and unrest in the public that could damage the reputation of the Sangha. The nun's order did eventually disappear in India in 466CE although they continue still in areas such as Korea and China.