403- View on the Sangha

The fifth book deals with Sangha and its Organisation and has also chapters
on “ the Buddha’s conception of the Bhikkhu, the Bhikkhu and the laity, and
Vinaya for the Laity.
Dr. Ambedkar says that the Bhikku is for the purpose of self-culture and
social sericive, especially social service. Some Bhikkhus may feel somewhat
hesitant to a call themselves as social servants. But, really not like that. The object
of Lord Buddha in creating a Bhikku was to have social servant devoting his life to
the service of the people and acting as their friends, philosopher and guide.
Therefore, a Bhikkhu’s first duty is to serve the suffering humanity by offering
practical help and personal guidance. Further, if the Bhikkhu is selfish for personal
gain, he is of no use for propagating the Dhamma if on the other hand, he is a
social servant, he may prove to be the hope of Buddhism.
Part I—The Sangh : 1. The Sangh and its Organisation. 2. Admission to the
Sangh. 3. The Bhikkhu and His Vows.4. The Bhikkhu and Ecclesiastical Offences.
5. The Bhikkhu and Restraints. 6. The Bhikkhu and Good Conduct Rules.:: 7. The
Bhikkhu and the Trial of Offences 8. The Bhikkhu and Confession.
Part II—-The Bhikkhu—The Buddha's Conception of him. 1. Buddha's
conception of what a Bhikkhu should be. 2. The Bhikkhu and the Ascetic. 3. The
Bhikkhu and the Brahmin. 4. The Bhikkhu and the Upasaka.
Part III—The Duties of the Bhikkhu. 1. The Bhikkhu's Duty to Convert. 2.
Conversion Not to be by Miracles. 3. Conversion Not to be by Force. 4. A Bhikkhu
Must Fight to Spread Virtue (Dhamma)
Part IV—The Bhikkhu and the Laity. 1. The Bond of Alms. 2. Mutual
Influence. 3. Dhamma of the Bhikkhu and the Dhamma of the Upasaka.
Part V—Vinaya for the Laity. 1. Vinaya for the Wealthy. 2. Vinaya for the
Householder. :: 3. Vinaya for Children. 4. Vinaya for Pupil. 5. Vinaya for
Husband and Wife. 6. Vinaya for Master and Servant. 7. Conclusions. :: 8.Vinaya
for Girls.