Page 156 - Applied Buddhism
P. 156
I would like to put forth four points to refute this view:
Contemporary monastic or lay, who i. The definition of Sañgha
Any practitioner,
Relevance follow the Buddha’s Dharma, and Sañgha. The definition of Sañgha, as mentioned by
The Buddhist object of worship is three-fold: The Buddha,
path correctly will
of Lay eventually taste the the Buddha, is found scattered in many parts of the discourses. It is
defined thus:
Buddhism fruits of the Dharma. Supatipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-sangho
Ujupatipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-sangho
The Legitimacy of Lay Buddhism Ñāyapatipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-sangho
Sāmīcipatipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-sangho
Traditionally, there is a consensus amongst Buddhists that
monastics are Dharma preachers (Dhammaduta) whilst lay Buddhists Yadidam cattāri purisayugāni attha purisa-puggalā..
are Dharma protectors. However, there are different opinions as to Esa Bhagavato savaka sangho
what is meant by a Dhammaduta and Dharma protector. Hence, Ahuneyyo, Pahuneyyo, Dakineyyo, Anajali karaneyyo,
when lay Buddhists organised Dharma assemblies, it is criticised
by some monastics as “stealing the rice bowls” of the Sañgha, Anutaram punnakhettam, lokassa ti
even when the assemblies were run by Sañgha members. But when
Sañgha members raised funds to organise religious activities, they The translation for the above nine qualities of the Sañgha is as
too were criticised for not living in accordance with the precepts. follows: “The community of the Blessed One’s disciples has entered
the right way, on the straight way, on the true way, on the proper
Even more worrying is the view that only Sañgha members way. They are the Four Pairs of Persons, the Eight Types of People.
are genuine Buddhists who are practicing the Buddha’s teaching This community of the Blessed One’s disciples is worthy of gifts,
while lay Buddhists are merely supporters. I have come across an worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of veneration, is
article which compares Sañgha members to footballers in the field an incomparable field of merits for the world.”
while lay Buddhists are supporters at the ring. They may applause
and cheer, but they are not allowed into the field. This view clearly The above definition shows that the Sañgha refers to the
marginalises the role of lay Buddhists, and consequently reduces Four Pairs of Persons or Eight Types of People (those who entered
the overall strength of Buddhism. the first path and those who experienced the first fruition is the
first pair, and so on till the fourth pair. When taken separately, they
144 Applied Buddhism Applied Buddhism 145
