Three Jewels (Sangha)

Question 1

What is the Sangha?

Answer 1

• The Sangha is the community of Buddhists.

Question 2

Why is the Sangha a refuge?

Answer 2

• Buddhists support and learn from each other, just like any other group.
• When people share beliefs and a way of life with others it keeps them strong in beliefs and practice. Buddhists can get support when needed with the Eightfold Path and would do the same for others.

Question 3

What is the Sangha comprimised of?

Answer 3

• The laity are just ordinary people who work and live within society – they don’t wear special clothes but do follow the Buddhist way of life (either strictly or loosely) ​
• The ordained are the nuns and monks, who live a monastic life and have limited contact with the outside world, to help them in their progress in achieving enlightenment

Question 4

What is a quote which represents the Three Jewels?

Answer 4

“I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dhamma, I take refuge in the Sangha.”

Question 5

rules

What must the ordained do?

Answer 5

• The ordained must follow strict rules of conduct such as the 10 Precepts. As well as this they must give up material wealth and family life to devote themselves to the dhamma.

Question 6

perserve

What is the first purpose of the Sangha?

Answer 6

• One purpose of the Sangha is to preserve and share the teachings of the Buddha, so that all humans both now and in the future can benefit from his teachings and be freed from their state of suffering and achieve enlightenment through accessing the dhamma.

Question 7

paper

What is a second purpose of the Sangha?

Answer 7

• Another purpose of the Sangha is to ensure that Buddhism is a lived religion and not just a philisophical idea on paper.
• This group of people help each other practice the Buddha’s teachings. This is important as Buddhism is a religion focused on action as it is the skillful/un that affect Rebirth in Samsara.

Question 8

What is another purpose of the Sangha?

Answer 8

• For Theravada Buddhists, the purpose of joining Sangha is to achieve enlightenment. This is bevcause they only believe monks can achieve enlightenment. Joining Sangha means they can fuklly dedicate their time to the Dhamma and only focus on that and avoiding distractions like jobs or families.