Practiced throughout southern Asia, Theravada Buddhism is the oldest and most common form of Buddhism.
Conservative in doctrine and monastic discipline, Theravada Buddhism has preserved its version of the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautama Buddha, in the Pali Canon, the only complete surviving Buddhist canon in the classical Indian language.
Originating in India, Theravada Buddhism quickly spread throughout southern India, and into Sri Lanka, which became the chief center of the Theravada branch of Buddhism.
Theravada tradition emphasizes the lives of its monks rather than that of its laypeople, teaching that the only way to achieve salvation is through becoming a monk. In Theravadan countries, laypeople assume that they will not achieve Nirvana in this life, as that is a state reserved for the monks. However, they can improve their chances in the next life by leading moral lives and assisting the monks.
Theravadan monks are characterized by their orange robes, signifying the cultural connections between Buddhism and its parent religion, Hinduism. Theravadan monks are often seen carrying an umbrella, which is not only practical in monsoon season, but representative of the authority of the Buddha.
Each new and full moon, Theravadan monks recite the rules of the order, and confessions are heard. Serious offenses can be punished by expulsion from the order.
The practice of Theravadan monks is to beg for food. However, because they are usually the best-educated people in the community, they also operate schools for village children and give advice on various matters. Monasteries are generally located in the center of town.
The community of monks in the Theravada tradition is known as sangha, a word in Pali and Sanskrit that may also mean "association," "assembly," "company," or "community," but more commonly refers to the Buddhist community of monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis), and according to the Theravada school, the term does not refer to lay followers (savakas), nor to Buddhists as a whole. Because there is no Sangha tradition in the West, Theravada Buddhism hasn't caught on in Western countries. Although there are Theravadan communities in the West, the tradition was learned in Theravadan countries.
The Pali Canon is made up of three "baskets," or groups of discourses that form thirty-one texts, known as baskets because the original palm leaf texts were stored in baskets. These discourses are said to have been compiled soon after the death of the Buddha be a council of five hundred monks who had studied under the Buddha. Each sutra begins with the words, "This I have heard..."
The first basket is the Vinaya Pitaka, the book of discipline, containing the rules for monasteries and nunneries. The second basket is the Sutta Pitaka, which includes the basic discourses or sermons of the Buddha. The Abhidhamma Pitaka is the third basket, and it contains treatises of technical, metaphysical, and scholarly material, apparently intended to organize Buddhist knowledge and to refute the views of other schools.
Other literature used in the Theravada tradition includes The Pali Commentaries, written in the 4th or 5th centuries, as well as other texts, handbooks, and summaries written by Theravadan monks, which have become part of Theravada heritage, but do not hold the same authority as the Pali Canon.
Theravadan meditation practices are intended to lead to tranquility, and that which leads to insight. The orientation of meditation if outward, looking toward Nirvana, rather than inward, as in Hinduism.
Through practice, a technique known as dhamma, the truth taught by the Buddha is uncovered, leading to the attainment of gnosis, which may be attained through gradual training, gradual action, and gradual practice.
Moral conduct is defined as right speech, right action, and right livelihood, understood through the doctrine of kamma.
Movements and sects related to Theravadan Buddhism in Asia are largely divided by country. Myanmar Buddism includes Thudhamma Nikaya, Shwekyin Nikaya, the Vipassana tradition of Mhasi Sayadaw, and Dvaya Nikaya. Bangladesh has Sangharaj Nikaya and Mahasthabir Nikaya. Sri Lanka includes Siam Nikaya, Waturawila, Amarapura Nikaya, Kanduboda, Tapovana, Ramanna Nikaya, Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha, Deldowa, and Forest Nikaya. In Thailand are Maha Nikaya, Dhammakaya Movement, Thammayut Nikaya, and the Thai Forest Tradition.
In America, there are the South Asian Schools, which include the Bhavana Society, Forest Tradition, Vipassana, IMB, and the Insight Meditation Society.
Topics related to Theravada Buddhism are the focus of this category. Resources specific to Theravadan tradition should be submitted to this category rather than to the more general Buddhist Resources category.
Categories
Forest TraditionVipassana |
Recommended Resources
Presented in English and Vietnamese, and written by Binh Anson, a number of topics are covered, including an exploration of Buddhism in general, an introduction to the teachings of the Buddha, Theravada and Theravada Buddhism, and the differences between the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist schools, as well as Theravada Buddhism in Vietnam. Excerpts of several books, suttas, and meditations are included.
https://www.budsas.org/
Buddhist Group of Kendal Theravada
Founded in 1991, the Theravada Buddhist group is located in Kendal, Cumbria, in England. BGKT news, history, and publications are featured. Other resources include an overview of Buddhist concepts on death, dying, and trauma, Buddhist festivals, ceremonies, and rituals, meditations, and mindfulness, as well as a directory to Buddhist monks and monasteries, organizations, and scriptures.
http://buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/
Dharmaling Buddhist Congregation
Under the guidance of Lama Thubten Shenphen Rinpoche, the Dharmaling Buddhist Congregation is an independent institution influenced by Tibetan lineages, and active in several European countries, including Austria, France, Hungary, Slovenia, and Spain. A calendar of events and program schedule are presented, and its teachers, positions, and contacts are posted. Its teachings, practices, poetry, and an online discussion forum are included.
http://www.dharmaling.org/en/
The OBS serves Buddhists of the Theravada tradition in and around Ottawa, Canada, offering a variety of activities such as days of mindfulness, Friday evening meetings, meditation retreats, and other events, which are highlighted here. A brief history and video on the OBS are included, as well as a photo gallery. Spiritual mentors and its administrative team are recognized, and selected readings are featured on the site.
http://ottawabuddhistsociety.com/
Sponsored by the Bangladesh Buddhist Monk Association in Thailand, the Theravada Articles promotes the Theravada Buddhist traditions to upcoming generations of Buddhists, offering a summary of Buddhism in general, Theravada Buddhism in particular, and informational articles in English and Bangla. Included are teachings on God in the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, Soul Theory in Buddhism, the Buddha, and his Monastic Order, and others.
http://theravadaarticles.weebly.com/
Theravada Buddhist Civilizations
Theravada Buddhist civilizations have existed for several centuries in what is now the countries of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Information on research findings, teaching materials, bibliographies, audio-visual resources, and opportunities to engage in scholarly discussion are provided here. Its features are highlighted, debate schedules, and announcements are posted to the site, although some of its features require registration.
http://theravadaciv.org/
Representing a group of Buddhist practitioners from the Toronto area of Canada, who regularly meet for meditation, to join in teachings, and to support one another in the practice of Buddhism, announcements are published to the site, and an introduction to the group is given, with information for those who would like to visit or to join in the weekly gathering. Directions, schedules, photographs, and readings are included.
https://www.theravadabuddhistcommunity.org/
Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia
TBCM represents the Theravada Buddhist organizations and communities in Malaysia, assisting in the propagation of Dhamma, offering direction to member organizations, and working with other Buddhist federation in the interests of its members. Membership information is put forth, and member organizations are identified, along with a gallery of photographs, informational articles, opinions, and free books.
http://www.tbcm.org.my/
Theravadin Daily Buddhist Practice
Several articles on Theravada Buddhism are published here and arranged by topic. Topics include Vipassana, arranged by the Insight Meditation Society, as well as the Theravada school of Buddhism. Others include the concept of Jhana, a series of cultivated states of mind leading to equanimity and awareness, a form of meditation, and the Middle Indo-Aryan language known as Pali, and Buddhism in general.
http://www.theravadin.org/
