Read the passage and answer the questions:
Soon there grew a body of disciples of the Buddha and he founded a sangha, an organisation of monks who too became teachers of dhamma. These monks lived simply, possessing only the essential requisites for survival, such as a bowl to receive food once a day from the laity. As they lived on alms, they were known as bhikkhus.
Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted. According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha. The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. Many women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theris, or respected women who had attained liberation.
The Buddha's followers came from many social groups. They included kings, wealthy men and gahapatis, and also humbler folk: workers, slaves and craftspeople. Once within the sangha, all were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier social identities on becoming bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was arrived at through discussions. If that failed, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject. The Vinaya pitaka contains rules and regulations for those who joined the sangha.
Which of the following is NOT true for the Buddhist 'sangha'?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The 'sangha' was a hierarchical organisation.
Option (1) Only men were allowed in the beginning. — Correct statement. Initially only men were allowed into the sangha; women were admitted later, through the mediation of Ananda.
Option (2) The 'sangha' was inspired by the traditions of the ganas. — Correct statement. The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was reached through discussion.
Option (3) The 'sangha' was a hierarchical organisation. — Incorrect statement. The sangha was not hierarchical. Once within it, all were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier social identities on becoming bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.
Option (4) Debates could be settled by vote. — Correct statement. If discussion failed to bring consensus, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject.
NCERT (2026-27): “6. Followers of the Buddha … Initially, only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.… 6. Followers of the Buddha … The Buddha’s followers came from many social groups. They included kings, wealthy men and gahapatis, and also humbler folk: workers, slaves and craftspeople. Once within the sangha, all were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier social identities on becoming bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was arrived at through discussions. If that failed, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject.” |