[dhrishiasv]

The word Sangha refers to the Ariya Sangha as well, not just the Bhikkhu Sangha. It is possible for a lay person to be part of the Ariya Sangha see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangha

I'm not convinced that the Bhikkhu Sangha is the "only authoritative Buddhist teaching organization", it may have been 2500 years ago but Buddhism has adapted and evolved since then.

hi Goofaholix

Traditionally, the word Sangha refers exclusively to the Ariya Sangha and does not refer to the Bhikkhu Sangha, per se, at all.

Praise for the Sangha

(LEADER): Handa mayaṃ saṅghābhithutiṃ karoma se:

Now let us give high praise to the Sangha:

(ALL):

[Yo so supaṭipanno] bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,

The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples who have practiced well,

Uju-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,

the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples who have practiced straightforwardly,

Ñāya-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,

the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples who have practiced methodically,

Sāmīci-paṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho,

the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples who have practiced masterfully,

Yadidaṃ cattāri purisa-yugāni aṭṭha purisa-puggalā:

i.e., the four pairs — the eight types — of Noble Ones:

Esa bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho —

That is the Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples —

Āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjali-karaṇīyo,

worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect,

Anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassa:

the incomparable field of merit for the world:

Tam-ahaṃ saṅghaṃ abhipūjayāmi,
Tam-ahaṃ saṅghaṃ sirasā namāmi.

I worship most highly that Sangha,
To that Sangha I bow my head down.

(BOW DOWN) this is the same as the word 'Dhamma', which, traditionally, refers exclusively to the here-&-now lokuttara Dhamma:

Praise for the Dhamma

(LEADER): Handa mayaṃ dhammābhithutiṃ karoma se:

Now let us give high praise to the Dhamma:

(ALL):

[Yo so svākkhāto] bhagavatā dhammo,

The Dhamma well-expounded by the Blessed One,

Sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko,

to be seen here & now, timeless [immediately effective], inviting all to come & see,

Opanayiko paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhi:

leading inward, to be seen by the wise for themselves:

Tam-ahaṃ dhammaṃ abhipūjayāmi,
Tam-ahaṃ dhammaṃ sirasā namāmi.

I worship most highly that Dhamma,
To that Dhamma I bow my head down.

(BOW DOWN) regards