I understand, assuming you mean "bhagavato savakasangho" as in the stock phrase definition of sangha in the suttas. For orthodox Theravada though, this would be meaningless to say, as it holds the view that magga and phala are two adjacent thought moments.

If anyone can find in the suttas where "ariya" means any among the "4 pairs of persons", please let me know.

kb

DC Wijeratna wrote thus at 09:08 PM 02-04-09:

>Ariya also includes sotaapattiphalasacchikiriyaayapa.tipanno also.
> D. G. D. C. Wijeratna
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>________________________________
>From: Kumara Bhikkhu <yg@...>
>To: Pali@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 11:28:53 AM
>Subject: Re: [Pali] Ariya
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>DC Wijeratna wrote thus at 09:48 PM 17-03-09:
>>My understanding of ariya is as follows: Beings in this world consist of ariyas and puthujjanas. Puthujjana is what is usually translated as worldlings, mere-worldlings, common-man etc. In the Mulapariyaaya sutta, MN 1 1. the world is dividied into puthujjana, sekha, asekha and the Sammaasambuddha. So ariyans include, the last three categories.
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>Yes, and since the word ariyan (or ariya) is not mentioned here (or any other suttas AFIAK) to mean those 3 categories, yet "Late Buddhism" uses it so, I think we may consider that when we see the word 'ariya' in the suttas, we need not assume that it refers to enlightened people, i.e, at least a sotapanna. (Words do evolve in meaning, e.g., peta, vihara.)
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>So, we need not translate ariya with that idea in mind. E.g. some translate 'ariyasaavaka' as 'disciple of the noble ones" seemingly with that idea in mind.
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>kb
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