A monastic “site” (Tib. gnas; Skt. āvāsa) is demarcated by boundaries set by the saṅgha. Such boundaries are set when first establishing a permanent monastic residence or when demarcating an ad hoc site, where forest-dwelling monks may gather every two weeks to recite The Prātimokṣa Sūtra, for example. A gathering of all the monks within a site’s boundaries constitutes a “quorum,” which is necessary for enacting formal acts of the saṅgha.

An area demarcated by the saṅgha which then functions as the community’s borders. Such boundaries may be set to define the area monks are confined to during the rains retreat. A gathering of all the monks within these boundaries constitutes a “consensus,” during which formal acts of saṅgha may be performed.