Explain the concept of Buddhist sanghas and some of the rules they followed.

Instructions:

• Describe the reasons leading to the formation of the sanghas.
• Describe the people living in the sanghas.
• Talk about the rules followed in the sanghas, as mentioned in the Vinaya Pitaka.
• Explain the rules they followed by the Buddhist sanghas.

Solution:
Both the Buddha and Mahavira believed that one can only attain true knowledge once they leave their home. Sanghas were the associations of those who left their homes. Men and women who joined the sanghas were called Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis. They visited nearby villages and cities to beg for food during fixed hours.

The rules followed by the Buddhist sanghas are written down in a book called the Vinaya Pitaka. As per this text, men and women had separate branches. All men could join the sangha. Children had to take the permission of their parents to join the sangha, and slaves had to take the permission of their masters. Women had to take their husbands’ permission to join the institution. Those who worked for the king had to take his permission and debtors had to take permission from the creditors to join the sangha.