The Buddhist Sangha was an organization of monks

The Buddhist Sangha was primarily established as an organization of monks and nuns who dedicated themselves to practicing and spreading the Buddha's teachings . According to historical texts, the Buddha founded the Sangha as a body of disciples who became 'teachers of dhamma' [1]. These monks, known as bhikkhus, lived simply on alms and traveled to disseminate the principles of truth and dharma to the laity [1]. While the Sangha later influenced education through institutions like Nalanda and engaged in social welfare in various regional contexts , its foundational purpose in the early Buddhist tradition was the spiritual guidance of the community through the preaching of Dhamma [1]. The Sangha's role was to provide a structured monastic community for those seeking liberation and to ensure the preservation of the Buddha's message across India and Asia .

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 6. Followers of the Buddha > p. 92