The Social Structure of Sangha in Theravādin Societies

Sangha as a group of monks and nuns that come together to construct a monastic community based on the principles of vinaya, is the main religious institution in a Theravādin society. Sangha's structure is basedon its member's relationship with each other and with their surrounding society. Within Sangha there is an obvious equality among monks on the one hand, and a distinctive discrimination between monks and nuns. Prohibition of Monk's and nun's economic activity except for begging has made Sangha's continuity dependent on laymen's economic supports, and Sangha, trying to hold these supports, has undertaken certain social functions. Moreover, despite the emphasis on orthodoxy and avoidance of religious innovations in Theravādin Buddhism, it has spread some beliefs which are different from and sometimes even in contrast with Buddha's teachings.