釋氏要覽 1.36

1.36

In Sanskrit, it is fully called *saṅgha*. In the language of the Tang, it means 'community' (now abbreviated as *seng*). The *Madhyamāgama* says: "What is called a community? Answer: Persons of various clans, various names, and various lineages who shave their hair and beards, wear the kāṣāya robes, and with utmost faith leave the household life to learn the Way from the Buddha—this is called a community." The *Sudarsanavinayavibhāṣā* says: "Equal in precepts, equal in view, equal in wisdom, and equal in community—this is the saṅgha." The *Nanshan Commentary* says: "Four or more persons who are able to maintain the noble Dharma and accomplish previous affairs are called a saṅgha. Saṅgha takes 'harmony' (*saṃgha*) as its meaning. Speaking of harmony, there are two kinds: first, harmony in principle, meaning mutually realizing analytical cessation; second, harmony in phenomena, which distinctly has six meanings: (1) harmony in precepts through joint observance; (2) harmony in views through shared understanding; (3) harmony in body through living together; (4) harmony in benefits through equal distribution; (5) harmony in speech through absence of disputation; (6) harmony in mind through mutual joy. The *Brief History of the Saṅgha* (*Sengshi lüe*) says: "Generally, four or more persons are called a saṅgha. That a single person is also now called a monk (*seng*) is because the name is taken from the community; just as twelve thousand five hundred men make up an army, yet a single man is also called a soldier [of the army]."