san·gha 
(sŭnggə)
(sŭnggə)n.
1. The worldwide community of Buddhist monks and nuns, and sometimes Buddhist laity.
2. A particular community of Buddhist monks and nuns, or of the monks, nuns, and laity engaged in Buddhist practice.
[Sanskrit saṃghaḥ, assemblage, community, from saṃhanti, he strikes together, puts together : sam, together; see sem- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + hanti, he strikes; see gwhen- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]