Editing Sangha (section)

==In Nichiren Buddhism==
Accordingly, the [[Nichiren Shōshū]] sect maintains the [[tradition]]alist definition of the ''sangha'' as the Head Temple [[Taisekiji]] priesthood collective as the sole custodians and arbiters of Buddhist doctrine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/nichiren_1.shtml|title=Religions – Buddhism: Nichiren Buddhism|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106083318/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/nichiren_1.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Seager|first1=Richard Hughes|title=Buddhism in America|date=2012|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=New York|isbn=9780231159739|page=106|edition=Rev. and expanded|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ex4pG4KuW1MC&q=%22nichiren+shoshu%22+sangha&pg=PA106|access-date=20 October 2020|archive-date=20 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020124509/https://books.google.com/books?id=ex4pG4KuW1MC&q=%22nichiren+shoshu%22+sangha&pg=PA106|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Soka Gakkai]], a [[new religious movement]] which began as a lay organization previously associated with Nichiren Shōshū in Japan, disputes the traditional definition of sangha. The organization interprets the meaning of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, in particular the "treasure of the Sangha", to include all people who practice Buddhism according to its own interpretation within their organization, whether lay or clerical. After its formal expulsion from its parent religion in December 1991 due to conflicts of religious doctrine, the organization re—published newer literature which revised the terms such as "Treasure of the Priesthood" to "The Buddhist Order".<ref>Hurst, Jane (2000). Global Citizens, "A Buddhist Reformation in the 20th Century: Causes and Implications of the Conflict between the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood". p. 79</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last = The English Buddhist Dictionary Committee | title = The Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism | publisher = Motilal Banarsidass | year = 2009 | location = Delhi | url = http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/S/25 | isbn = 9788120833340 | access-date = 22 May 2017 | archive-date = 19 July 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170719123949/http://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/S/25 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Some modernist sects of [[Nichiren-shu]] holds a position that any Buddhist community is also called Sangha,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Arai|first1=Nissatsu|title=Outlines of the Doctrine of the Nichiren Sect|date=1893|publisher=Central Office of the Nichiren Sect|location=Tokyo, Japan|page=18|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=WE0uAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PT1|quote=The Holy Book says: "We ought to know that this place is the Kaidan." This means that whatever a place, where we practice the doctrines of the Holy Book, is fit for a "Kaidan." If it is fit for a "Kaidan," it is inhabited by all Buddhas. Such is the nature  of the "Kaidan" taught by our Sect.|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160002/https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=WE0uAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en&pg=GBS.PT1|url-status=live}}</ref> along with both liberal and progressive Mahayana lay movements as well claiming this new definition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/taking-refuge|title=Taking Refuge|date=15 December 2012|website=plumvillage.org|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707122130/https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/taking-refuge/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/three-jewels|title=Three Jewels - The Buddhist Centre|website=thebuddhistcentre.com|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=14 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714055435/https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/three-jewels|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zen-buddhism.net/buddhist-principles/three-jewels.html|title=The Three Jewels of Buddhism – ZEN BUDDHISM|last=www.zen-buddhism.net|website=www.zen-buddhism.net|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=22 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522005719/http://www.zen-buddhism.net/buddhist-principles/three-jewels.html|url-status=live}}</ref>