Will Buddhism survive without the Sangha?
Mahendra Gonsalkorale. 2nd March 2021
A good friend expressed the view that Buddhism may not survive without the Sangha. Do I agree or disagree? Here is my answer.
Buddhism is a deep philosophy but a lot of ordinary human beings are not truth-seekers in the proper sense of the word but seekers of consolation and props to help them live through worries and difficulties. Most of such people would have adopted any religion to which they were born to (I mean parents and culture). They would be equally at home praying in church, temples, kovils, mosques. I would challenge anybody who says that the vast majority of Buddhist are those who have sought the truth and realised it. I don't look down on those who are regular temples goers and worship statutes and forever seek merit to improve their merit accounts and improve their chances of a good life if indeed there is one after death. It is a strong human need. Those who indulge in these activities without expecting rewards and merely because they find the atmosphere conducive and a reminder of virtuous activities in life will of course benefit.
The Sangha had a remit when it was first set up but has got corrupted beyond recognition to the point that a member considers it appropriate to consider himself as a suitable person to sit on the Sri Lanka Cricket Board! The political activities of some are disgusting as they promote hate and intolerance. The Sangha are foremost in pushing the idea of Sinhala Buddhist supremacy. This is to me a sad state of affairs and I have nothing to do with them apart from those I personally know and respect such as Ven Galkande Dhammananda Thero, a genuine humane person with love tolerance and empathy.
But the ordinary Buddhist (I don't mean in a derogatory way at all) , need the Sangha and all the rituals and paraphernalia that go with it and Buddhism does run the risk of a slow death. I may be wrong and the ven Wlapola Rahula may well be right and although the number of "Buddhists" will decline dramatically, they may well be the "real Buddhists". It may be a subject studied by people who are inclined towards seeking answers and not those who are seeking emotional props. I would welcome such a society if it ever becomes a reality. They would not look down on Christians and Hindu us and Muslims, they wouldn't be concerned with preserving enough "Buddhists" in the country, they would not be worried about allowing Muslims to bury their dead, they wouldn't worry about the proportion of Buddhist parliamentarians, they wouldn't be concerned with people's ethnicity, they would not be concerned with establishing caste-based Nikayas, they would not be worried about Presidents worshipping them, they wouldn't be worried about building large temples and massive Buddha statues. They know that Buddhism is something to live by and not an appendage to be used when it suits them.
Will Buddhism die without them? Yes, there is a danger. But I feel that Knowledge will always be available for those who seek it and Buddhism will survive, maybe in a different way. But the "prop" aspect is important for Society. Will anybody miss these props? Sadly yes. Those who use Buddhism as an emotional balm and as a tool for domination in society at the expense of others (The - "I am a proud member of Manchester United or whatever club", complete with Buddhist flag and contempt for other Clubs type)"
