The Buddha’s insight into the nature of true friendship illuminates the communal fabric of early Buddhism. The Sangha was not a hierarchy, but a collective of equals — a ‘horizontal’ community where mutual support and shared aspiration were central. Senior monks and nuns naturally guided those less experienced, not out of authority, but through the resonance of their practice and understanding.

When Ānanda, burdened with the uncertainty of leadership after the Buddha’s passing, sought reassurance, the Buddha redirected him: ‘Whatever Dharma and Vinaya I have pointed out and formulated for you, that will be your teacher when I am gone.’ The Sangha’s cohesion lay in its shared commitment to the Dharma-Vinaya¹, not in allegiance to any individual.

This emphasis on the teachings as the ultimate guide reflects the Buddha’s profound trust in the transformative power of the Dharma. It was a model of self-reliance balanced by interdependence — a recognition that while one must tread the path alone, true friendship provides the fertile ground in which awakening takes root.

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1. Dharma-Vinaya (Sanskrit) translates as ‘Doctrine and Discipline’ in Buddhism. ‘Dharma’ signifies the Buddha’s teachings and universal truth, offering ethical guidance and spiritual insight. ‘Vinaya’ refers to the monastic code of discipline, fostering ethical conduct and communal harmony. Together, they constitute the core framework of Buddhist philosophy and practice. ↩︎

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