What is the meaning of Ariya?

[SarathW]

What is the meaning of Ariya?
Especially I like to know the meaning of Ariya Sangha.
Can I say Ariya Sangha to a Buddhist monk who is not Sotapanna?
Then the question comes how do we know who is whether a monk is Ariya or not?

[SarathW]

In the suttas it's the bhikkhusaṅgha / bhikkhunīsaṅgha and the sāvakasaṅgha.

In later texts the first two get called the sammutisaṅgha and the last the ariyasaṅgha.

That they are different can be seen from the fact that although every bhikkhu is a member of the bhikkhusaṅgha, not every bhikkhu possesses the nine special qualities that the suttas ascribe to the sāvakasaṅgha. Also, not every bhikkhu is one of the “the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals.”

“The saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way, practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals—this saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.”

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[santa100]

...

#1. What is the meaning of Ariya? Especially I like to know the meaning of Ariya Sangha.
See definition Here

#2. Can I say Ariya Sangha to a Buddhist monk who is not Sotapanna?
Depends. If you mean to indicate his current sangha of monks including himself, then technically No, due to the definition above. But there's nothing wrong with using the term in general as some inspiration/aspiration to the ideals.

#3. Then the question comes how do we know who is whether a monk is Ariya or not?
One will never know for sure unless s/he himself is also an Ariya.

[Milinda]

That word germans used to like

[cappuccino]

That word germans used to like

So

[Milinda]

That word germans used to like

So

I think in Buddha times the word Ariya also had a bound or certain connections with the descendants of the Shatriyas, like the Sakyas and the Bhramis.

[Agnikan]

What is the meaning of Ariya?

It’s a new all-electric SUV from Nissan.

[Mahabrahma]

It seems to have quite a plethora of definitions.

But I found one of great importance :

12) A Buddha.

https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arya

Seems like a Highly popular term back in the days!