The sangha’s sanctity makes any monk an untouchable institution

Evidence

Because the sangha is one of Buddhism’s triple gems (or three sacred refuges)—the other two being the Buddha and dhamma—the desire to seek refuge in the sangha (sangang saranang gachchami) is an everyday invocation among Buddhists. Buddhists commonly refer to a controversial monk by saying they have no regard for him but respect the robe (sivura) he wears, given that the saffron robe represents both the Buddha and sangha. Even young trainees (samaneras) not even in their teens sit at a higher elevation among lay persons and remain sitting even when before the country’s president and prime minister. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 231

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains the triple gems and why attacks target an entire sacralized institution rather than individuals.
• XREF: connects to: Caste Untouchability persisted inside non-Hindu religions

Broader Connections

• Caste Untouchability persisted inside non-Hindu religions #expands (0.85)