Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c22.s3: Cātuddisa-sangha
Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c22.s3
- Language
- English
Cātuddisa-sangha
v1.c22.s3.1
To the constitution of a *sangha*, the term democracy or republic cannot be justifiably applied, for it does not exactly follow the principles on which a democratic or a republican constitution is based. Though there existed the system of election of the President, the moving of a resolution, use of ballot voting by *salākās*, strict adherence to the rules of a meeting and so forth, the constitution of a Buddhist *sangha* differed in many respects from that of a political institution.
v1.c22.s3.2
One of the main differences is that any ordained monk, to whatever locality he might belong, was counted as a member of an assembly if he happened to be present on the day of the sitting of the assembly (which was usually the *uposatha* day) within the limits of the parish. An assembly would not be regarded as complete for an ecclesiastical action if a single monk, not excepting an *āgantuka-bhikkhu* (incoming monk), failed to join it either personally or by proxy (*i.e.* by sending *chanda*, consent).² The only condition for the membership of a *sangha* was ordination and residence on the day of the assembly.
v1.c22.s3.3
² *Majjhima*, III, p. 10.
Linked texts (1)
- Gopakamoggallānasutta — Pāli