Abstract

This research works contained 3 objectives; 1) to study the meaning and history of Buddhist Sangha in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, 2) to study the Sangha administration and 3) to apply the principle of conditions of welfare for Sangha administration by gathering the information from the concerned texts such as Tipitaka, its commentaries and sub-commentaries etc. proposed and verified by advisor and the experts, finally composed in descriptive style. The findings were that;

The word ‘Sangha’ denotes to the assembly of Buddhist monks with well practice, that is, a community of Bhikkhus which is one among 4 Buddhist communities. Pañcavaccī or the five ascetics who attained Arahantaship guided by the Buddha was the first establishment of Buddhist Sangha model. Then in the end of first rainy retreat, the Buddha had preached Ovādapātimokkha or the Fundamental Teaching to 1,250 Bhikkhus at Veluvanaram, Rajagir city. From that time, due to the numbers of ordinary Bhikkhus were rapidly increasing in Sangha, so the Buddha decided to lay down disciplinary codes to rule Bhikkhu Sangha divided in various types in order to maintain 10 great benefits such as harmony of Sangha and so on. The main principle of this Sangha establishment was taken from Dhamma and Vinaya taught by the Buddha for training of Sammatisangha or assembly of ordinary Bhikkhus and common people, therefore the Dhamma and Vinaya are the principal form of Sangha administration, Dhamma concerns with mental discipline while Vinaya a physical. Both of them when working together, will ensure the perfect Sangha establishment. If bringing to imply with society, both could build up a moral and orderly society with law and justice.

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