What is the social structure of Buddhism?

Claudia: What is the social structure of Buddhism?
Catholicism has the Pope, deacons, priests, etc, and it forms a hierarchy. What is there in terms of Buddhism? I understand there are Buddhist monks but do they hold an authoritative role like Catholicism does?

Answers and Views:

Answer by winkie
DALAI LAMA

Answer by P’ang
Compared to Catholicism, Buddhism is highly decentralized.

First, there is no central figure who oversees all of Buddhism, nor does a central figure oversee the two main Buddhist traditions, Mahayana and Theravada. Even within each of these traditions, there is no central figure who oversees the major schools.

For example, the Pure Land Buddhist school, which is probably the most popular of all schools, has no central authority. Pure Land Buddhism, like all other Buddhist schools, comprises hundreds of small sects, each with their own approach to teaching Buddhism.

Each small sect of Vipassana, Zen, Pure Land, etc., will have its own guiding teacher who occupies an authority position.

While the Dalai Lama has and deserves global recognition, he is simply the leader of one of the 4 schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Within each school and sect, Buddhist monks and nuns are highly respected and often given leadership positions. However, the Catholic pope apparently represents the divine on earth, while Buddhist monks and nuns are ordinary people, just like you and me.

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Thanks for the clarification, RudyH!

Answer by rowyourboat
The Buddha upon his passing away told everyone to keep the Dhamma (his teachings) as the ‘leader’. Hence there has never been a great need for a bulky central structure- everyone can access his teachings and follow aspects of the path in what is suitable for them personally.

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Answer by RudyH
Excellent answer by P’ang – as usual.
Just one small correction if I may. Contrary to what most people think, the Dalai Lama is NOT the head of one of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He was a head of state in Tibet and a very highly respected Buddhist figure in Tibetan Buddhism in general, but the real head of his Buddhist school (Gelugpa) is the so-called Ganden Tripa.
So, strictly spoken, the spiritual status of the Dalai Lama basically comes from his personal merits, not his function.

Answer by emt
In Thailand, they have a Sangha Council. I do not know what is his roll but there is a social structure.