History glossary
sangha
the Buddhist monastic community of monks and nuns.
- Category
- Religious community
- Region
- South Asia
- Date range
- From early Buddhism onward
What it means
The sangha is the Buddhist monastic community, traditionally including monks and nuns. It preserved teachings, maintained discipline, trained new members and helped Buddhism travel across regions.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Rise and Spread of Buddhism
From the Buddha's awakening to Ashoka's patronage and missions to Sri Lanka, Buddhism grew from a northern Indian path into a faith with foundations across Asia.
The Rise of the Medieval Church
From the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the Avignon papacy, this story traces how the Christian Church built its authority through bishops, monasteries, missions, reform, and direct confrontation with Europe's rulers.
