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The Anapanasati Sutta, at least, describes the bhikkhusanghe as those monks dedicated to 'heartwood', i.e., lokuttara dhamma

Per the Anapanasati Sutta, it could be speculated that monks that dedicate their lives to studying & taking refuge in Professor Ian Stevenson (& the like), in order to preach a doctrine of literal meta-physical reincarnation, probably do not even fall into the bhikkhusanghe, let alone the ariyasanghe

Whilst Ajahn Brahm may have a point, I find consistent with his point is more & more Western Buddhists, including Western monks, are taking refuge in Western scholars, such as Gombrich, Professor Ian Stevenson & the like, instead of the Noble Sangha that have dedicated their practise to the realisation of heartwood (Emptiness)

For example, Ajahn Brahm teaches Dependent Origination different to the lokuttara view of Ajahn Chah; focuses on worldly states such as jhana; & regards the cessation of perception & feeling as Nibbana. Such doctines are not 'heartwood'.



Monks, this assembly is free from idle chatter, devoid of idle chatter, and is established on pure heartwood: such is this community of monks (bhikkhusanghe), such is this assembly. The sort of assembly that is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respect, an incomparable field of merit for the world: such is this community of monks, such is this assembly. The sort of assembly to which a small gift, when given, becomes great, and a great gift greater: such is this community of monks, such is this assembly. The sort of assembly that it is rare to see in the world: such is this community of monks, such is this assembly — the sort of assembly that it would be worth traveling for leagues, taking along provisions, in order to see.

In this community of monks there are monks who are arahants, whose mental effluents are ended, who have reached fulfillment, done the task, laid down the burden, attained the true goal, laid to waste the fetter of becoming, and who are released through right gnosis: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who, with the wasting away of the five lower fetters, are due to spontaneously arise [in the Pure Abodes], there to be totally unbound, destined never again to return from that world: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who, with the wasting away of [the first] three fetters, and with the attenuation of passion, aversion & delusion, are once-returners, who — on returning only once more to this world — will make an ending to stress: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who, with the wasting away of [the first] three fetters, are stream-winners, steadfast, never again destined for states of woe, headed for self-awakening: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who remain devoted to the development of the four frames of reference... the four right exertions... the four bases of power... the five faculties... the five strengths... the seven factors for awakening... the noble eightfold path: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who remain devoted to the development of good will... compassion... appreciation... equanimity... [the perception of the] foulness [of the body]... the perception of inconstancy: such are the monks in this community of monks.

In this community of monks there are monks who remain devoted to mindfulness with in-&-out breathing.

Anapanasati Sutta