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InJainism,Sangha (Community of the pious) is a term used to refer to the fourfold community ofMuni (male ascetics),Aryika /Sadhvi (female ascetics),Śrāvaka (laymen), andŚrāvikā (laywomen).
The word is also used in various other ways.[1]
Champat Rai Jain, an influential 20th century Jain writer described thesangha as "those who practise thedharma", "the community of the saints", "the community of the pious" and as "the community of the faithful".[2][3]
According to theJain texts, thesangha will be maintained till the very end of the present strife-ridden spoke of time (pancham kaal). With the end of thesangha, thedharma (religion) will also end.[4]
The continuity of thesangha (community of the faithful) will be maintained right up to its very end. There will be at least one saint, one nun, one householder, and one pious female follower of the Lord Jinendra in the world. When only three moments will be left in the runningkāla,rāja (kingship),agni (fire) anddharma (religion) will be destroyed, one after the other, in the order mentioned! The last king, who will be calledKalki, will snatch away the food from the hand of the last Saint, and will be destroyed by thedevas for his extreme impiety. The Saint and the Nun will performsallekhana death, along with the householder and the pious lay lady. Fire will disappear instantly, anddharma will cease to exist in the next moment!.
— Champat Rai Jain[4]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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