In
Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
, Sangha (Community of the pious) is a term used to refer to the fourfold community of ''Muni'' (
male ascetics), ''
Aryika
''Aryika'', also known as ''Sadhvi'', is a female mendicant (nun) in Jainism.
History
In the traditional Digambara tradition, a male human being is considered closest to the apex with the potential to achieve liberation, particularly throu ...
'' / ''Sadhvi'' (female ascetics), ''
Śrāvaka
Śrāvaka (Sanskrit) or Sāvaka (Pali) means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple". This term is used in Buddhism and Jainism. In Jainism, a śrāvaka is any lay Jain so the term śrāvaka has been used for the Jain community itself (for example ...
'' (laymen), and ''Śrāvikā'' (laywomen).
The word is also used in various other ways.
Meaning
Champat Rai Jain
Champat Rai Jain (6 August 1867–2 June 1942) was a Digambara Jain born in Delhi and who studied and practised law in England. He became an influential Jainism scholar and comparative religion writer between 1910s and 1930s who translated and ...
, an influential 20th century Jain writer described the ''sangha'' as "those who practise the
''dharma''", "the community of the saints", "the community of the pious" and as "the community of the faithful".
Significance
According to the
Jain texts, the ''sangha'' will be maintained till the very end of the present strife-ridden spoke of time (''
pancham kaal''). With the end of the ''sangha'', the ''dharma'' (religion) will also end.
Other Uses
The word ''sangha'' has been used to refer to various lineages in the Digambara sect of Jainism.
History
Jain ''Sangha'' was established in
Madurai
Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...
in 5th century CE.
See also
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Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
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Sangha
Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages, including Pali meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community"; Sangha is often used as a surname across these languages. It was historically used in a political context t ...
in Buddhism
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Sangat (Sikhism)
Sangat (Punjabi: ਸੰਗਤ) is a Sikh term with its origin in the Sanskrit word ''sangh'', which means company, fellowship and association. In Sikh vocabulary, the word has a special connotation. It stands for the body of men and women who meet ...
References
Citations
Sources
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