Siddharta

After the Buddha's first sermon he continued to preach only to his followers, a group of wandering beggars, rather than to the masses. These followers became the first monastic order. This order of Buddhist believers is known as the Sangha. In order to learn the Dharma and become part of the Sangha, people were required to become one of these beggar-monks.

Those joining the Sangha would have their head shaved to symbolize renunciation of the worldly things, and would be given a new name and a new robe before taking their vows. After completing a period of time as a novice, the monk would again be given a new name and a new robe.

Buddha taught the Middle-Way, so monks were taught to reject worldly comforts, but they also rejected self torture or mortification. The Buddha continually warned his disciples against the sinister guile of women, and women were not allowed in the Sangha. Indeed it was very difficult for a woman to become a Buddhist during this time.

Later Buddha did allow women to become a part of his followers, but many restrictions were placed on the nuns and they were subject to the authority of the monks at all times. The Buddha is quoted as saying, "A nun, though she be a hundred years old, must reverence a monk, rise on meeting him, salute him with clasped hands and honor him with her respects, although he may have been received into the order only that day." Some today argue that the Buddha was only communicating on a level his followers could understand and he went against the male chauvinism in his culture. It is interesting that today, Buddha draws a strong following from women in the feminist movement.

Followers who chose not to become members of the order were still permitted to ...