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Sangha in the West

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Over time as Buddhism has developed, the idea and experience of sangha established itself in different cultures and settings. At the time of the Buddha, the sangha was the Arya Sangha –that is the assembly of the noble ones, the awakened ones– those who followed the Buddha in the holy life and attained liberation.

As the nun Sama recited:

It was twenty-five years
since I turned away from home
and I hadn't had a moment's peace.

I had no peace
Because I did not know my own mind.

I have finished with craving.
The Buddha's teaching has been done.
It is the seventh day
Since my craving died.

The Buddha's sangha was actually revolutionary because it was open to all. Its hierarchy was based on time of arrival and spiritual accomplishment, not on birth nor on caste. The sangha became even more revolutionary when the Buddha after much debate and discussion accepted women in his sangha – women too started to become fully ordained nuns. The idea of sangha became even more inclusive when it was represented by the great assembly which is comprised of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen.

As Buddhism comes to the West, what kind of sangha can we find? There is the traditional model with ordained monks and nuns, like at Amaravati in England where the strict code of the vinaya (rules of conduct for monks and nuns) is followed in the Theravada tradition of Thailand. In France, you can also find large monasteries of Western monks or nuns who engage in long retreats following the Tibetan tradition like at Dhagpo Kundrel Ling in Le Bost in Auvergne or follow courses of study as in Nalanda Monastery near Lavaur. Thich Nhat Hanh is developing at Plum Village a traditional model of sangha with monks and nuns while at the same time trying to devise a model for people who cannot become celibate and are raising children. The advantage of a traditional model is that it is hierarchical, it has a spiritual head and a strong sense of discipline. It might be difficult to fit in for some people but for most it gives a great support and sense of direction.

In England you can find the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order who are trying to create a different type of sangha – in between monastics and laity. There are various levels of commitment. The hierarchy is still very present with their spiritual leader and founder at the top and senior teachers just below. They are also experimenting with single sex communities. Though recently they are finding that it is important to find a place for the family as well. They have created right livelihood communities around which a sense of sangha is formed as people live, work and practice together.