Sangha

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In the Buddhist scriptures the word Sangha (lit. "group, assembly") is usually used in one of two ways: it refers either to the community of ordained Buddhist monks and nuns (bhikkhu-sangha and bhikkhuni-sangha) or to the community of "noble ones" (ariya-sangha) — persons who have attained at least the first stage of Enlightenment.

The definition (ariya-sangha): "The Sangha of the Buddha's disciples who have practiced well... who have practiced straight-forwardly... who have practiced methodically... who have practiced masterfully — they are the Sangha of the Buddha's disciples: worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect, the incomparable field of merit for the world." Source