What does “Sangha” mean? The word “Sangha” is used in two ways. Firstly, it is the name given to the monastic order, hence the phrase, “The Thai Sangha”. Secondly, it refers to the community of all those who have realized one of the four stages of enlightenment. Two categories overlap to a high degree: over the past 2,600 years the vast majority of those who have realized stages of enlightenment have been members of the monastic order. Nevertheless, monastic life is not necessary condition for enlightenment. There have many members of the enlightened Sangha who have lived (and live) as […]