What is Sangha ?

The word Sangha in Pali means the Order or Community of Bhikkhus (monks) and Bhikkhunis (nuns). Though the Buddha did not leave any written teachings when he entered in Mahaparinibbana, his disciples (the venerable Sangha) tried to memorise all the Buddha's teachings by reciting them daily. They recited all the teachings of the Lord Buddha from generation to generation until the Sangha committed to write down all the teachings. If the venerable Sangha has not taken care of the teachings, today all the teachings will probably disappear.

So the venerable Sangha established by the Lord Buddha is indeed worthy of being paid homage to for their good deeds: learning the Doctrine (pariyati), practising the Dhamma (patipatti), and realising its goal (pativedha).