Grammatical Analysis
Sāvaka-saṅgha: [m.] The Community of Disciples. Formed by sāvaka (hearer, disciple) + saṅgha (community, assembly).
Orthodox Definition
The Sāvaka-saṅgha refers specifically to the community of the Buddha’s enlightened disciples. It is synonymous with the Ariyasaṅgha (Noble Saṅgha).
When chanting the daily recollection of the Saṅgha (Saṅghānussati), practitioners recite: “Supaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho…” (The community of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced well…). This phrase explicitly designates the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals (those on the four paths and four fruitions of awakening).
While the conventional monastic order (sammuti-saṅgha) includes unawakened individuals (puthujjanas), the Sāvaka-saṅgha is strictly the spiritual body of realized beings. It is the third jewel of the Triple Gem, revered as the supreme field of merit for the world.
Textual References
- Sutta: Dhajagga Sutta (SN 11.3) – The standard canonical formula for recollecting the pristine virtues of the disciple community to dispel fear and terror.
- Canonical: Aṅguttara Nikāya (Navaka Nipāta) – Explaining the specific spiritual achievements that qualify one as a member of this community.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter VII) – Exhaustive explanation of the nine virtues of the Sāvaka-saṅgha used as a meditation object.