communityCOMMUNITY
Within the larger society, a community is a group of people united in
their beliefs, practices, and experiences that motivates them to cooperate
and work together for the attainment of social and religious goals. A
particular community is not only a gathering of individuals, but it is also
an ideal constructed in the minds of its members. Communities operate
to socialize their members by encouraging certain types of behavior.
When members become socialized they help to foster stability and a
sense of well-being. By differentiating themselves from others, a com-
munity can create tensions with outsiders that could theoretically lead to
conflict. Not only do communities possess a social dimension, they also
have a historical aspect that extends through time and across generations
of members. In contrast to other kinds of social groups, communities are
distinct because of the spiritual quality of their beliefs, practices, and
experiences. By implementing social agendas and shaping the behavior
of its members, communities can exert power in the larger social world
for change, stability, or conflict.
The community in Islam is called the umma (Arabic for people), which
historically begins in Medina after the migration (hijra) from Mecca with
the so-called believers. During this formative period of Islam, immigrants
and their Medinan Muslim hosts called helpers (Ansar) form a unique
brotherhood under the leadership of Muhammad. Even the worldwide
community of Islam is called umma and an individual can enter by recit-
ing the confession of faith (shahada). This community shares beliefs,
ceremonies, and laws, and accepts the Qur’an as a revelation from God.
In contrast to the pre-Arabian tribal and polytheistic cultures against
which they react and define themselves, Muslim practices, such as
prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage, unite them into a religious
community.
In contrast to formative Islam, Buddhism promotes two communities:
a lay community and the SamÛgha (assembly or gathering) of monks and
nuns. It is the duty of the lay community to provide for the welfare of the
monks and nuns, whereas monks and nuns dispense teachings and cere-
monial services for the laity. Although the SamÛgha originally includes the
laity, the two communities are bound together ideally by mutual giving.
Two essential features of the Buddhist monastic community are promi-
nent: no religious leader is theoretically necessary and the rules of the
monastic community are intended to guide it. The rules also form the
bond between monks creating a brotherhood. The monastic community
is one of the three jewels (triratna) of the Buddha with which everyone