en wikipedia org wiki theravada

7/27/2019 En Wikipedia Org Wiki Theravada

1/37

pdfcrowd comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Theravada

Theravda

Countries

India

Sri Lanka

Cambodia Laos

Burma Thailand Bangladesh

Texts

Pali CanonCommentaries

Subcommentaries

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Theravada, Sanskrit: sthaviravda, ; literally, "the Teaching of theElders" or " the Ancient Teaching," is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. Itwas founded in India. It is relatively conservative, and generallycloser to earlyBuddhism,[1] and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of SriLanka (now about 70% of the population)[2] and most of continentalSoutheast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand). Theravada is also

practiced by minorities in parts of southwest China (by the Shan and Taiethnic groups), Vietnam (by the Khmer Krom), Bangladesh (by the ethnicgroups of Baruas, Chakma, Magh, and Tanchangya), Malaysia andIndonesia, while recently gaining popularity in Singapore and the Westernworld. Today, Theravada Buddhists, otherwise known as Theravadins,number over 100 million worldwide, and in recent decades Theravada hasbegun to take root in the West[3] and in the Buddhist revival in India.[4]

Contents [hide]

1 His tory1.1 Origin of the school

1.2 Later his tory in Sri Lanka

1.3 Lineage of nuns

2 In Southeast Asia2.1 Modern developments

Read Edit View history

Log in / create account

Article Talk Search

Main page

Contents

Featured content

Current events

Random article

Donate to Wikipedia

Interaction

Help

About Wikipedia

Community portal

Recent changes

Contact Wikipedia

Toolbox

Print/export

Languages

Alemannisch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asokanpillar-crop.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism_in_India#Revival_of_Buddhism_in_Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Indonesiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Singaporehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakma_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magh_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanchangya_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Malaysiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Vietnamhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Kromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Kromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Kromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Chinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Chinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_peopleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Cambodiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Cambodiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Laoshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Laoshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthaviravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthaviravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChangeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Abouthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contentshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Randomhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_eventshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Featured_contenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Contentshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asokanpillar-crop.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Cambodiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Laoshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Bangladeshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_literaturehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atthakathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcommentaries,_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthaviravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Cambodiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Laoshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Chinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shan_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_peopleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Vietnamhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Kromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakma_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magh_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanchangya_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Malaysiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Indonesiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Singaporehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_worldhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism_in_India#Revival_of_Buddhism_in_Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edithttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=historyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Theravada&campaign=ACP2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Contentshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Featured_contenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_eventshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Randomhttps://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Special:Landingcheck?landing_page=WMFJA085&language=en&utm_source=donate&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=20101204SB002https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contentshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Abouthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChangeshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_ushttps://als.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page


2/37


[edit]

[edit]

s ory

Pre-sectarian BuddhismEarly schools SthaviraAsoka Third Council

VibhajjavadaMahinda Sanghamitta

Dipavamsa MahavamsaBuddhaghosa

Doctrine

Sasra NibbnaMiddle Way

Noble Eightfold PathFour Noble Truths

Enlightenment StagesPrecepts Three Jew els

Outline of Buddhism

view talk edit

Part of a series on

Buddhism

Outline Portal

History

Timeline CouncilsGautama BuddhaLater Buddhists

3 Overview of Philos ophy

4 Fundamentals of Theravada4.1 Cause and Effect

4.2 The Four Noble Truths

4.3 The Three Characteristics

4.4 The Three Noble Disciplines

5 Meditation

5.1 Samatha meditation5.2 Vipassan meditation

6 Levels of attainment

7 Scriptures

8 Lay and monas tic life8.1 Ordination

8.2 Monastic practices

8.3 Lay devotee

9 Influences

10 Monastic orders w ithin Theravada

11 Festivals and customs

12 Lis t of Theravada majority countries

13 Gallery

14 See also

15 References

16 External l inks

History

Origin of the school

According to its own accounts,the Theravda school is

Catal

esky

Dansk

Deutsch

Eesti

Espaol

Esperanto

Franais

Frysk

Galego

Bahasa Indonesia

slenska

Italiano

Basa Jawa

Latvieu

Lietuvi

Mirands

Nederlands

Norsk (bokml)

Norsk (nynorsk)
https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=1https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-sectarian_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Buddhist_schoolshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthaviravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoka_the_Greathttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Buddhist_councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhajjavadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahindahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanghamittahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipavamsahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavamsahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhaghosahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(concept)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Wayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_enlightenmenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_Preceptshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Jewelshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Theravada_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Theravada_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Theravada_Buddhism&action=edithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dharma_Wheel.svghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_councilshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhistshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpghttps://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9rav%C3%A1dahttps://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravaadahttps://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teravadohttps://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouddhisme_therav%C4%81dahttps://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tearavadahttps://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%83%81%EC%A2%8C%EB%B6%80_%EB%B6%88%EA%B5%90https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therav%C4%81dahttps://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada_b%C3%BAddismihttps://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhismo_Theravadahttps://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%98%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%90%D7%93%D7%94https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Theravadahttps://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%97%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%90%E1%83%95%E1%83%90%E1%83%93%E1%83%90https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terav%C4%81das_budismshttps://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6https://mwl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therabadahttps://my.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%80%91%E1%80%B1%E1%80%9B%E1%80%9D%E1%80%AB%E1%80%92https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada_(boeddhisme)https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E5%BA%A7%E9%83%A8%E4%BB%8F%E6%95%99https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://km.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%9E%90%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%9C%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%91https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpg


3/37


Dharmaor concepts

Four Noble TruthsFive AggregatesImpermanence

Suffering Non-selfDependent Origination

Middle Way EmptinessKarma Rebirth

Samsara Cosmology

Practices

Three JewelsNoble Eightfold PathMorality Perfections

Meditation MindfulnessWisdom CompassionAids to Enlightenment

Monasticism Laity

Nirva

Four Stages ArahantBuddha Bodhisattva

Traditions CanonsTheravda Pali

Mahyna HinayanaChinese

Vajrayna Tibetan

V T E

Ashokan pillar in Lumbini, the birthplaceof the Gautama Buddha. One of the mostimportant places of Buddhist pilgrimage.

fundamentally derived from theVibhajjavda (or "doctrine ofanalysis") grouping[5] which was adivision of the Sthavira ("Elders")sect. (The Sthavira were in turn abreakaway group from themajority Mahsghika duringthe Second Buddhist council.[6])Theravadin accounts of its ownorigins mention that i t received theteachings that were agreed uponduring the Third Buddhist Council,around 250 BCE, and theseteachings were known as theVibhajjavada.[7] TheVibhajjavdins in turn split intofour groups: the Mahsaka,Kyapya, Dharmaguptaka, andthe Tmraparnya.

The Theravada is descended from the Tmraparnya, which means "the SriLankan lineage." In the 7th century CE, Chinese pilgrims Xuanzang andYijing refer to the Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka as Shngzub (Ch.

), corresponding to the Sanskrit "Sthavira" and the Pali "Thera."[8][9] Theschool has been using the name Theravada for itself in a written form sinceat least the 4th century, when the term appears in the Dipavamsa.[10]

According to Buddhist scholar A.K. Warder, the Theravada spread rapidlysouth from Avanti into Maharastra and Andhra and down to the Chola country(Kanchi), as well as Ceylon. For some time they maintained themselves in Avanti as well as in their newterritories, but gradually they tended to regroup themselves in the south, the Great Vihara (Mahavihara) in

Polski

Portugus

Romn

Simple English

SloveninaSlovenina

/ Srpski

Srpskohrvatski /

Suomi

Svenska

Tagalog

Trke

Ting Vit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpghttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_terms_and_conceptshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skandhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impermanencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anattahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81dahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_wayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C5%ABnyat%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebirth_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sa%E1%B9%83s%C4%81ra_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmologyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threefold_Traininghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Jewelshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C4%ABlahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81ramit%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulnesshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisdom_in_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karu%E1%B9%87%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhipakkhiy%C4%81dhamm%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_monasticismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Householder_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_enlightenmenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arhat_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahoodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattvahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_textshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Buddhist_canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhist_canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Buddhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Buddhism&action=edithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lumbini_4.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashokan_pillarhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_pilgrimagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhajjavadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthaviravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81s%C4%81%E1%B9%83ghikahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Buddhist_councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Buddhist_Councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahisasakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%81%C5%9Byap%C4%AByahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmaguptakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xuanzanghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching_(monk)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.K._Warderhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avanti_(India)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharastrahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradeshhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanchihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://km.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%9E%90%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9A%E1%9E%9C%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%91https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therawadahttps://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teravadahttps://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%85%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0https://si.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B6%AE%E0%B7%9A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%AF_%E0%B6%B6%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B0_%E0%B6%B0%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%BAhttps://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9rav%C3%A1dahttps://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teravadski_budizemhttps://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%85%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budismong_Theravadahttps://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4_%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8C%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8Dhttps://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%97https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravadahttps://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%85%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C6%B0%E1%BB%A3ng_t%E1%BB%8Da_b%E1%BB%99https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E5%BA%A7%E9%83%A8%E4%BD%9B%E6%95%99


4/37


[edit]

Buddha painting in Dambulla cave templein Sri Lanka. Buddhist cave-temple complexw as established as a Buddhist Monastery inthe 3rd century BC. Caves w ere convertedinto a temple in the 1st century BC.[13]

Anuradhapura, the capital of Ceylon, becoming the main centre of their tradition, Kanchi a secondary centerand the northern regions apparently relinquished to other schools." [11]

According to the Pli chronicles of the Sinhalese tradition, Buddhism was first brought to Sri Lanka byArahant Mahinda, who is believed to have been the son of the Mauryan emperor Asoka, in the third centuryBCE, as a part of the dhammaduta (missionary) activities of the Asokan era. In Sri Lanka, Arahant Mahindaestablished the Mahvihra Monastery of Anuradhapura.

Over much of the early history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, three subdivisions of Theravda existed in SriLanka, consisting of the monks of the Mahvihra, Abhayagiri Vihra, and the Jetavana Vihra.[12]

According to A.K. Warder, the Indian Mahsaka sect also established itself in Sri Lanka alongside theTheravda, into which they were later absorbed.[12] Northern regions of Sri Lanka also seem to have beenceded to sects from India at certain times.[12]

Later history in Sri Lanka

When the Chinese monk Faxian visited the island in the early

5th century CE, he noted 5000 monks at Abhayagiri, 3000monks at the Mahvihra, and 2000 monks at theCetiyapabbatavihra.[14] Over the centuries, the AbhayagiriTheravdins maintained close relations with Indian Buddhists andadopted many new teachings from India. [15] These includedmany elements from Mahyna teachings, while the JetavanaTheravdins adopted Mahyna to a lesser extent. [14][16]

Xuanzang wrote of two major divisions of Theravda in Sri Lanka,referring to the Abhayagiri tradition as the "Mahyna Sthaviras,"and the Mahvihra tradition as the "Hnayna Sthaviras." [17]

Akira Hirakawa notes that the surviving Pli commentaries(Ahakath) of the Mahvihra school, when examined closely,also include a number of positions that agree with Mahynateachings.[18] In the 8th century CE, it is known that both

Mahyna and the esoteric Vajrayna form of Buddhism were being practiced in Sri Lanka, and two Indian
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=3https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dambulla_16.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dambulla_16.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dambulla_cave_templehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahindahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauryanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asokahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaviharahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuradhapurahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahaviharahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhayagiri_Vih%C4%81rahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faxianhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah%C4%81y%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atthakathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajray%C4%81na


5/37


[edit]

[edit]

monks responsible for propagating Esoteric Buddhism in China, Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra, visited theisland during this time.[19] Abhayagiri Vihra appears to have been a center for Theravadin Mahyna andVajrayna teachings.[20]

Some scholars have held that the rulers of Sri Lanka ensured that Theravda remained traditional, and thatthis characteristic contrasts with Indian Buddhism. [21] However, before the 12th century CE, more rulers ofSri Lanka gave support and patronage to the Abhayagiri Theravdins, and travelers such as Faxian saw the

Abhayagiri Theravdins as the main Buddhist tradition in Sri Lanka.[22][23]

This changed in the 12th centuryCE, when the Mahvihra gained the support of King Parakkamabhu I (1153-1186 CE), and the Abhayagiriand Jetavana Theravda traditions were completely abolished. [24][25] The Theravda monks of these twotraditions were then defrocked and given the choice of returning to the laity permanently, or attempting re-ordination under the Mahvihra tradition as "novices" (smaera).[25][26] Regarding the differences betweenthe Theravda traditions, the Cavasa laments, "Despite the vast efforts made in every way by formerkings down to the present day, the [bhikkhus] turned away in their demeanor from one another and tookdelight in all kinds of strife." [27]

Lineage of nuns

A few years after the arrival of SthaviraMahinda, Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, who is also believed to be thedaughter of Emperor Asoka, came to Sri Lanka. She started the first nun's order in Sri Lanka, but this orderof nuns died out in Sri Lanka in the 11th century and in Burma in the 13th. In 429 CE, by request of China'semperor, nuns from Anuradhapura were sent to China to establish the Nun's Order. The order was thenspread to Korea. In 1996, 11 selected Sri Lankan nuns were ordained fully as Bhikkhunis by a team ofTheravda monks in concert with a team of Korean Nuns in India. There is disagreement among Theravada

vinaya authorities as to whether such ordinations are valid. In the last few years the head of the Dambullachapter of the Siyam Nikaya in Sri Lanka has carried out ordination ceremonies for hundreds of nuns. Thishas been criticized by other leading figures in the Siyam Nikaya and Amarapura Nikaya, and the governingcouncil of Burmese Buddhism has declared that there can be no valid ordination of nuns in modern times,though some Burmese monks disagree with this. [28]

In Southeast Asia
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=4https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=5https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrabodhihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amoghavajrahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parakramabahu_I_of_Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samanerahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culavamsahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sthavirahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahindahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanghamittahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuradhapurahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhunihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dambullahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siyam_Nikayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amarapura_Nikayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_Buddhism


6/37


Ruins of Bagan, an ancient capital ofBurma. There are more than 2,000 Buddhisttemples. During the height of Bagan's pow erthere w ere some 13,000 temples.[29]

According to Mahavamsa the Sri Lanka chronicle, after theconclusion of the Third Buddhist Council, a missionary was alsosent to Suvannabhumi where two monks Sona and Uttara, aresaid to have proceeded.[30] Scholar opinions differ as to whereexactly this land of Suvannabhumi is located, but Suvannabhumiis believed to be located somewhere in the area which nowincludes lower Burma, Thailand, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra

Island.

Before the 12th century, the areas of Thailand, Burma, Laos, andCambodia were dominated by various Buddhist sects from India,and included the teachings of Mahyna Buddhism. [31][32] In the7th century, Yijing noted in his travels that in these areas, allmajor sects of Indian Buddhism flourished.[31] Though there aresome early accounts that have been interpreted as Theravda in Burma, the surviving records show that

most Burmese Buddhism incorporated Mahyna, and used Sanskrit rather than Pali.[32][33][34] After thedecline of Buddhism in India, missions of monks from Sri Lanka gradually converted Burmese Buddhism toTheravda, and in the next two centuries also brought Theravda Buddhism to the areas of Thailand, Laos,and Cambodia, where it supplanted previous forms of Buddhism.[35]

The Mon and Pyu were among the earliest people to inhabit Burma. Recent archaeological research at aPyu settlement in the Samon Valley (around 100 km south-east of Bagan) has shown that they had tradelinks with India from 500-400 BC and with China around 200 BC.[36] Chinese sources which have beendated to around 240 A.D. mention a Buddhist kingdom by the name of Lin-Yang, which some scholars haveidentified as the ancient Pyu kingdom of Beikthano[37][38] 300 km north of Yangon. The oldest survivingBuddhist texts in the Pali language come from Pyu city of Sri Ksetra, the text which is dated from the mid5th A.D. to mid 6th A.D. is writen on twenty-leaf manuscript of solid gold.[39] The Burmese slowly becameTheravadan when they came into contact with the Pyu and Mon civilization. The Thais also slowly becameTheravadan as they came into contact with the Mon civilization.

Despite its success in Southeast Asia, Theravada Buddhism in China has generally been limited to areasbordering Theravada countries.
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bagan,_Burma.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bagan,_Burma.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baganhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavamsahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Buddhist_Councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suvannabhumihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_Peninsulahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatrahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_Buddhism_in_Indiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(ethnic_group)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Ksetra


7/37


[edit]

Laykyun Setkyar in the village ofKhatakan Taung, near Monywa in Burma.The second tallest statue in the w orld.[40]

Modern developments

The following modern trends or movements have beenidentified.[41][42]

Modernism: attempts to adapt to the modern world and adopt

some of its ideas; including, among other thingsGreen movement

Syncretism with other Buddhist traditions

Universal inclusivity

Reformism: attempts to restore a supposed earlier, idealstate of Buddhism; includes in particular the adoption ofWestern scholars' theories of original Buddhism (in recenttimes the "Western scholarly interpretation of Buddhism" is

the official Buddhism prevailing in Sri Lanka and Thailand. [43])Ultimatism: tendency to concentrate on advanced teachingssuch as the Four Noble Truths at the expense of moreelementary ones

Neotraditionalism; includes among other things

Revival of ritualism

Remythologization

Insight meditationSocial action

Devotional religiosity

Reaction to Buddhist nationalism

Renewal of forest monks

Revival of samatha meditation

Revival of the Theravada bhikkhuni lineage (not recognized in Thailand)
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=6https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yattawmu_Paya.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yattawmu_Paya.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laykyun_Setkyarhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monywahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncretismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insight_meditationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Forest_Traditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhuni


8/37


[edit]

Buddhist revivalism has also reacted against changes in Buddhism caused by colonialist regimes. Westerncolonialists and Christian missionaries deliberately imposed a particular type of Christian monasticism onBuddhist clergy in Sri Lanka and colonies in Southeast Asia, restricting monks' activities to individualpurification and temple ministries.[44] Prior to British colonial control, monks in both Sri Lanka and Burmahad been responsible for the education of the children of lay people, and had produced large bodies ofliterature. After the British takeover, Buddhist temples were strictly administered and were only permitted touse their funds on strictly religious activities. Christian ministers were given control of the education system

and their pay became state funding for missions.[45] Foreign, especially British, rule had an enervating effecton the sangha.[46] According to Walpola Rahula, Christian missionaries displaced and appropriated theeducational, social, and welfare activities of the monks, and inculcated a permanent shift in views regardingthe proper position of monks in society through their institutional influence upon the elite.[46] Many monks inpost-colonial times have been dedicated to undoing this paradigm shift.[47] Movements intending to restoreBuddhism's place in society have developed in both Sri Lanka and Burma. [48]

Overview of Philosophy

Theravada promotes the concept of Vibhajjavada (Pali), literally"Teaching of Analysis." This doctrine says that insight mustcome from the aspirant's experience, critical investigation, andreasoning instead of by blind faith; however, the scriptures of theTheravadin tradition also emphasize heeding the advice of thewise, considering such advice and evaluation of one's ownexperiences to be the two tests by which practices should be

judged.

In Theravada, the cause of human existence and suffering(dukkha) is identified as craving (tanha), which carries with it thedefilements (kilesas). Those defilements that bind humans to thecycle of rebirth are classified into a set of ten "Fetters," whilethose defilements that impede concentration (samadhi) arepresented in a fivefold set called the "Five Hindrances."[49] The
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=7https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sermon_in_the_Deer_Park_depicted_at_Wat_Chedi_Liem-KayEss-1.jpeghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walpola_Rahulahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibhajjavadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81lihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufferinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilesahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetter_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Hindranceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sermon_in_the_Deer_Park_depicted_at_Wat_Chedi_Liem-KayEss-1.jpeg


9/37

df d mi b PRO i Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Painting of Buddha's first sermondepicted at Wat Chedi Liem in Thailand

level of defilement can be coarse, medium, and subtle. It is aphenomenon that frequently arises, remains temporarily and thenvanishes. Theravadins believe defilements are not only harmful tooneself, but also harmful to others. They are the driving forcebehind all inhumanities a human being can commit.

Theravadins believe these defilements are habits born of ignorance (avijja) that afflict the minds of allunenlightened beings, who cling to them and their influence in their ignorance of the truth. But in reality,those mental defilements are nothing more than taints that have afflicted the mind, creating suffering andstress. Unenlightened beings cling to the body, under the assumption that it represents a Self, whereas inreality the body is an impermanent phenomenon formed from the four basic elements. Often characterizedby earth, water, fire and air, in the early Buddhist texts these are defined to be abstractions representing thesensorial qualities solidity, fluidity, temperature, and mobility, respectively. [50] The mental defilements'frequent instigation and manipulation of the mind is believed to have prevented the mind from seeing the truenature of reality. Unskillful behavior in turn can strengthen the defilements, but following the Noble Eightfold

Path can weaken or eradicate them.Unenlightened beings are also believed to experience the world through their imperfect six sense doors(eye, ear, nose, tongue, tactile sense, and mind) and use the mind, clouded by defilements, to form theirown interpretation, perception and conclusion.[51] In such a condition the perception or conclusion made willbe based on that being's own illusion of reality.[52] In the state ofjhana (deep concentration), the fivephysical sense doors will fade, the mental defilements will be suppressed, and wholesome mental traits willbecome strengthened. The mind can then be used to investigate and gain insight into the true nature ofreality.

There are three stages of defilements. During the stage of passivity the defilements lie dormant at the baseof the mental continuum as latent tendencies (anusaya), but through the impact of sensory stimulus, theywill manifest (pariyutthana) themselves at the surface of consciousness in the form of unwholesomethoughts, emotions, and volitions. If they gather additional strength, the defilements will reach thedangerous stage of transgression (vitikkama), which will then involve physical or vocal actions.

In order to be free from suffering and stress, Theravadins believe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sermon_in_the_Deer_Park_depicted_at_Wat_Chedi_Liem-KayEss-1.jpeghttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sermon_in_the_Deer_Park_depicted_at_Wat_Chedi_Liem-KayEss-1.jpeghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sermon_in_the_Deer_Park_depicted_at_Wat_Chedi_Liem-KayEss-1.jpeghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chedi_Liemhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avijjahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabhutahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpg


10/37

df di b PRO i Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Laotian painting depicts Ananda at theFirst Buddhist Council

that the defilements need to be permanently uprooted. Initiallythey are restrained through mindfulness to prevent them fromtaking over mental and bodily action. They are then uprootedthrough internal investigation, analysis, experience andunderstanding of their true nature by usingjhana. This processneeds to be repeated for each and every defilement. The practicewill then lead the meditator to realize the Four Noble Truths,

Enlightenment, and Nirvana (Sanskrit: , Nirva; Pali: ,Nibbna; Thai: , Npphaan). Nirvana is the ultimate goal ofTheravadins, and is said to be a state of perfect bliss wherein theperson is liberated from the repeated cycle of birth, illness, agingand death.

Theravadins believe that every individual is personally responsiblefor their own self-awakening and liberation, as they are the ones

that were responsible for their own actions and consequences (Sanskrit: karma; Pali: kamma). Simplylearning or believing in the true nature of reality as expounded by the Buddha is not enough, the awakeningcan only be achieved through direct experience and personal realization. An individual will have to follow andpractice the Noble Eightfold Path as taught by the Buddha to discover the reality for themselves. InTheravada belief, Buddhas, gods or deities are incapable of giving a human being the awakening or liftingthem from the state of repeated cycle of birth, illness, aging and death (samsara). For Theravadins, Buddhais only a Teacher of the Noble Eightfold Path, while gods or deities are still subject to anger, jealousy,hatred, vengeance, craving, greed, delusion, and death.

It is believed that some people who practice with earnestness and zeal can attain Nirvana within a singlelifetime, as did many of the first few generations of Buddha's disciples. For others, the process may takemultiple lifetimes, with the individual reaching higher and higher states of realization. One who has attainedNirvana is called anArahant. Since Lord Buddha is believed to have possessed the ultimate knowledge onguiding a person through the process of enlightenment, Theravadins believe that disciples of a Buddha attainenlightenment the most quickly.

According to the early scriptures, the Nirvana attained byArahants is identical to that attained by the
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpghttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ananda_at_First_Council.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_peoplehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Buddhist_Councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arahanthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arahant


11/37

df di b PRO i A d l ? T t th HTML t PDF API

[edit]

[edit]

The Great Buddha of Thailand in the Wat

Buddha himself, as there is only one type of Nirvana. [53] Buddha was superior toArahants because theBuddha had discovered the path all by himself, and has taught it to others (i,e., metaphorically turning thewheel of Dhamma).Arahants, on the other hand, attained Nirvana due in part to the Buddha's teachings.Theravadins revere the Buddha as a single supremely gifted person but do recognize the existence of othersuch Buddhas in the distant past and future. Maitreya (Pali: Metteyya), for example, is mentioned verybriefly in the Pali Canon as a Buddha who will come in the distant future.

Traditionally Theravadins can either have the conviction (or "faith") in the Buddha's teaching and practice theminor precepts in the hope of gaining some minor benefits or they can investigate and verify by directexperience the truth of the Buddha's teaching by practicing thejhana which is part of the Noble EightfoldPath for their own Enlightenment.

Fundamentals of Theravada

First and foremost, the Theravada philosophy is a continuousanalytical process of life, not a mere set of ethics and rituals.

The ultimate theory of Theravada uses the Four Noble Truths,also known as the Four Sublime Truths. In the simplest formthese can be described as the problem, the cause, the solutionand the pathway to solution (implementation).

Cause and Effect

The Concept of Cause and Effect, or Causality, is a key concept

in Theravada, and indeed, in Buddhism as a whole. This conceptis expressed in several ways, including the Four Noble Truths,and most importantly, the Paticca-Samuppda (dependent co-arising).

Abhidhamma in Theravada canon differentiate between a rootcause (Hetu) and facilitating cause (pacca). By the combinedinteraction of both these, an effect is brought about. On top of
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=8https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=9https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phra_Buddha_Maha_Nawamin_Sakayamuni_Sri_Wisetchaichan.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phra_Buddha_Maha_Nawamin_Sakayamuni_Sri_Wisetchaichan.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Buddha_of_Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreyahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_co-arisinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhidhammahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Buddha_of_Thailand


12/37df di b PRO i A d l ? T t th HTML t PDF API

[edit]

Muang Monastery in Ang Thong province.The tallest statue in Thailand, and the ninthtallest in the w orld.

this view, a logic is built and elaborated whose most supple formcan be seen in the Paticca Samuppda.

This concept is then used to question the nature of suffering andto elucidate the way out of suffering, as expressed in the FourNoble Truths. It is also employed in several suttas to refute several philosophies including creationism.

The Four Noble Truths

Main article: Four Noble Truths

A formal description of the Four Noble Truths follows:

1. Dukkha (suffering): This can be somewhat broadly classified into three categories. Inherent suffering,or the suffering one undergoes in all the worldly activities, what one suffers in day-to-day life: birth,aging, diseases, death, sadness, etc. In short, all that one feels from separating from "loving"attachments and/or associating with "hating" attachments is encompassed into the term. Thesecond class of suffering, called Suffering due to Change, implies that things suffer due to attachingthemselves to a momentary state which is held to be "good"; when that state is changed, things aresubjected to suffering. The third, termed Sankhara Dukkha, is the most subtle. Beings suffer simplyby not realizing that they are mere aggregates with no definite, unchanging identity.

2. Dukkha Samudaya (cause of suffering): Craving, which leads to Attachment and Bondage, is thecause of suffering. Formally, this is termed Tanha. It can be classified into three instinctive drives.Kama Tanha is the Craving for any pleasurable sense object (which involves sight, sound, touch,taste, smell and mental perceptives). Bhava Tanha is the Craving for attachment to an ongoing

process, which appears in various forms, including the longing for existence. Vibhava Tanha is theCraving for detachment from a process, which includes non-existence and causes the longing forself-annihilation.

3. Dukkha Nirodha (cessation of suffering): One cannot possibly adjust the whole world to one's taste inorder to eliminate suffering and hope that it will remain so forever. This would violate the chiefprinciple of Change. Instead, one adjusts one's own mind through detachment so that the Change, ofwhatever nature, has no effect on one's peace of mind. Briefly stated, the third Noble Truth impliesthat elimination of the cause (craving) eliminates the result (suffering). This is inferred in the scriptural
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=10https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Buddha_of_Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_Thonghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truthshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creationismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths


13/37df di b PRO i

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

[edit]

Wat Chaiw atthanaramtemple in the oldcity of Ayutthaya in Thailand.

quote by The Buddha, 'Whatever may result from a cause, shall be eliminated by the elimination ofthe cause'.

4. Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada (pathway to freedom from suffering): This is the Noble EightfoldPathway towards freedom or Nirvana. The path can roughly be rendered into English as right view,right intention, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and rightconcentration.

The Three CharacteristicsMain article: Three marks of existence

These are the three characteristics of all conditioned phenomenain Theravada thought.

1. Anicca (impermanence): All conditioned phenomena aresubject to change, including physical characteristics,qualities, assumptions, theories, knowledge, etc. Nothing

is permanent, because, for something to be permanent,there has to be an unchanging cause behind it. Since allcauses are recursively bound together, there can be noultimate unchanging cause.

2. Dukkha (suffering): Craving causes suffering, since whatis craved is transitory, changing, and perishing. Thecraving for impermanent things causes disappointment and sorrow. There is a tendency to labelpractically everything in the world, as either "good," "comfortable" or "satisfying;" or "bad","uncomfortable," and "unsatisfying." Labeling things in terms of like and dislike creates suffering. Ifone succeeds in giving up the tendency to label things and free himself from the instincts that drivehim towards attaining what he himself labels collectively as "liking," he attains the ultimate freedom.The problem, the cause, the solution and the implementation, all of these are within oneself, notoutside.

3. Anatta (not-self): The concept ofAnatta can be explained as the lack of a fixed, unchanging identity;there is no permanent, essential Self. A living being is a composite of the five aggregates

(kh dh ) hi h i th h i l f ( ) f li ti ( d ) ti ( )
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=11https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_don_macauley_-_Wat_Chaiwatthanaram.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_don_macauley_-_Wat_Chaiwatthanaram.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chaiwatthanaramhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_(city)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_marks_of_existencehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankharahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniccahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufferinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anattahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atman_(Hinduism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_aggregates


14/37df di b PRO iAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

[edit]

[edit]

Thai monk in meditation

(khandhas), which is the physical forms (rupa), feelings or sensations (vedana), perception (sanna),mental formations (sankhara), and consciousness (vinnana), none of which can be identified as one'sSelf. From the moment of conception, all entities (including all living beings) are subject to a processof continuous change. A practitioner should, on the other hand, develop and refine his or her mind toa state so as to see through this phenomenon.

Direct realization of these three characteristics leads to freedom from worldly bonds and attachments, thusleading to the state where one is completely, ultimately free, the state which is termed Nirvana, whichliterally means "to blow" (as in a lamp).[54]

The Three Noble Disciplines

The pathway towards Nirvana, or the Noble Eightfold Pathway is sometimes stated in a more concisemanner, known as the Three Noble Disciplines., [55][56] These are known as discipline (sla), training of mind(samdhi)[57] and wisdom (pa).

MeditationTheravada Buddhist meditation practices fall into two broadcategories: samatha, and vipassan.[58] Some common termsencountered in the Theravada practice of meditation are:

Anapanasati

Metta

Kammahna

SamathaVipassana

Meditation (Pali: Bhavana) means the positive reinforcement ofone's mind. Broadly categorized into Samatha and Vipassana,Meditation is the key tool implemented in attainingjhana.Samatha literally means "to make skillful," and has other renderings also, among which are "tranquilizing,calming," "visualizing," and "achieving." Vipassana means "insight" or "abstract understanding." In this

context Samatha Meditation makes a person skillful in concentration of mind Once the mind is sufficiently
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=12https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=13https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phra_Ajan_Jerapunyo-Abbot_of_Watkungtaphao..jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phra_Ajan_Jerapunyo-Abbot_of_Watkungtaphao..jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%ABlahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pa%C3%B1%C3%B1%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasatihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mettahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravada


15/37df di b PRO iAre you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

[edit]

Thai Forest Tradition meditation master,the Venerable Ajahn Chah w ith his resident

Sangha in the year 1980 at Wat Nong PahPong monastery in Ubon Ratchathani,Thailand

context, Samatha Meditation makes a person skillful in concentration of mind. Once the mind is sufficientlyconcentrated, Vipassana allows one to see through the veil of ignorance.

Samatha meditation

Main article: Samatha

The samatha meditation in Theravada is usually involved with theconcepts of Kammahna which literally stands for "place ofwork"; in this context, it is the "place" or object of concentration(Pli:rammana) where the mind is at work. In samathameditation, the mind is set at work concentrated on oneparticular entity. There are forty (40) such classic objects(entities) used in samatha meditation, which are termedKammahna. By acquiring a Kammahna and practis ingsamatha meditation, one would be able to attain certain elevated

states of awareness and skill of the mind called Jhana.Practising samatha has samadhi (concentration) as its ultimategoal.

It should be noted that samatha is not a method that is unique toBuddhism. In the suttas it is said to be implemented in other contemporary religions in India at the time ofBuddha. In fact, the first teachers of Siddhartha, before they attained the state of awakening (Pli: Bodhi),are said to have been quite skillful in samatha (although the term had not been coined yet). In the PaliCanon discourses, the Buddha frequently instructs his disciples to practice samadhi (concentration) in

order to establish and developjhana (full concentration). Jhana is the instrument used by the Buddhahimself to penetrate the true nature of phenomena (through investigation and direct experience) and to reachEnlightenment.[59] Right Concentration (samma-samadhi) is one of the elements in the Noble EightfoldPath. Samadhi can be developed from mindfulness developed with kammahna such as concentration onbreathing (anapanasati), from visual objects (kasina), and repetition of phrases. The traditional list contains40 objects of meditation (kammahna) to be used for Samatha Meditation. Every object has a specificgoal; for example, meditation on the parts of the body (kayanupassana or kayagathasathi) will result in a

lessening of attachment to our own bodies and those of others resulting in a reduction of sensual desires
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=14https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AjahnChahSangha.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AjahnChahSangha.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Forest_Traditionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Nong_Pah_Ponghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubon_Ratchathanihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samathahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhana_in_Theravadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Pathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81nahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anapanasatihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasinahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81na


16/37

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

[edit]

[edit]

[edit]

lessening of attachment to our own bodies and those of others, resulting in a reduction of sensual desires.Mett (loving kindness) generates the feelings of goodwill and happiness toward ourselves and other beings;metta practice serves as an antidote to ill-will, wrath and fear.

Vipassan meditation

Vipassan on the other hand, is concerned with seeing through the veil of ignorance (Pli: Avijj) and so, isunique to Buddhism. It can be aided by a practised mind (with samatha) but samatha is not necessary to

practice vipassan. Chiefly, vipassan is involved in breaking the ten Fetters that bind one to the ever-iterating cycle of birth and death i.e. samsara. Some teachers do not distinguish between the two methods,rather prescribing meditation methods that develop both concentration and insight.

Levels of attainment

Main article: Four stages of enlightenment

Through practice, (Theravadan) practitioners can achieve four stages of enlightenment:[60]

1. Stream-Enterers: Those who have destroyed the first three fetters (false view of Self, doubt, andclinging to rites and rituals);

2. Once-Returners: Those who have destroyed the first three fetters and have lessened the fetters oflust and hatred;

3. Non-Returners: Those who have destroyed the five lower fetters, which bind beings to the world of thesenses;[61]

4. Arahants: Those who have reached Enlightenmentrealized Nirvana, and have reached the quality of

deathlessnessare free from all the fermentations of defilement. Their ignorance, craving andattachments have ended.[61]

Scriptures

The Theravada school upholds the Pali Canon or Tipitaka as themost authoritative collection of texts on the teachings ofGautama Buddha. The Sutta and Vinaya portion of the Tipitaka

shows considerable overlap in content to the Agamas the
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=15https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=16https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=17https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyauksa.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antidote_(Buddhism)&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassan%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetters_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsarahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_enlightenmenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotapannahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetter_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakadagamihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagamihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arahantshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali_Canonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipitakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%ABtrahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyauksa.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80gama_(Buddhism)


17/37

pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

One of the stone inscriptions of theWorld's largest book, consisting of 729 large

marble tablets w ith the Pali Canon inscr ibedon them, at Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay,Burma

shows considerable overlap in content to the Agamas, theparallel collections used by non-Theravada schools in India whichare preserved in Chinese and partially in Sanskrit, Prakrit, andTibetan, and the various non-Theravada Vinayas. On this basis,both these sets of texts are generally believed to be the oldestand most authoritative texts on Buddhism by scholars. It is alsobelieved that much of the Pali Canon, which is still used by

Theravda communities, was transmitted to Sri Lanka during thereign of Asoka. After being orally transmitted (as was the customin those days for religious texts) for some centuries, were finallycommitted to writing in the last century BC, at what theTheravada usually reckons as the fourth council, in Sri Lanka.Theravada is one of the first Buddhist schools to commit thewhole complete set of its Buddhist canon into writing.[62]

Much of the material in the Canon is not specifically"Theravadan," but is instead the collection of teachings that thisschool preserved from the early, non-sectarian body ofteachings. According to Peter Harvey:

The Theravadans, then, may have addedtexts to the Canon for some time, but they do notappear to have tampered with what they already had from an earlier period.[63]

The Pali Tipitaka consists of three parts: the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. Of

these, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is believed to be a later addition to the first two pitakas, which, in theopinion of many scholars, were the only two pitakas at the time of the First Buddhist Council. The PaliAbhidhamma was not recognized outside the Theravada school.

In the 4th or 5th century Buddhaghosa Thera wrote the first Pali commentaries to much of the Tipitaka(which were based on much older manuscripts, mostly in old Sinhalese), and after him many other monkswrote various commentaries, which have become part of the Theravada heritage. These texts, however, donot enjoy the same authority as the Tipitaka does. The Tipitaka is composed of 45 volumes in the Thai

edition 40 in the Burmese and 58 in the Sinhalese and a full set of the Tipitaka is usually kept in its own
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyauksa.JPGhttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyauksa.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyauksa.JPGhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_largest_bookhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuthodaw_Pagodahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80gama_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prakrithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinaya_Pitakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutta_Pitakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhidhamma_Pitakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Buddhist_Councilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhaghosahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atthakatha


18/37


[edit]

Young Burmese monk

edition, 40 in the Burmese and 58 in the Sinhalese, and a full set of the Tipitaka is usually kept in its own(medium-sized) cupboard.

The commentaries, together with the Abhidhamma, define the specific Theravada heritage. Related versionsof the Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka were common to all the early Buddhist schools, and therefore do notdefine only Theravada, but also the other early Buddhist schools, and perhaps the teaching of GautamaBuddha himself.

Theravada Buddhists consider much of what is found in the Chinese and Tibetan scriptural collections to beapocryphal, meaning that they are not authentic words of the Buddha.[64]

Lay and monastic life

Traditionally, Theravada Buddhism has observed a distinctionbetween the practices suitable for a lay person and the practicesundertaken by ordained monks (in ancient times, there was aseparate body of practices for nuns). While the possibility ofsignificant attainment by laymen is not entirely disregarded bythe Theravada, it generally occupies a position of lessprominence than in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, withmonastic life being hailed as a superior method of achievingNirvana.[65] The view that Theravada, unlike other Buddhistschools, is primarily a monastic tradition has, however, beendisputed.[66]

This distinction between ordained monks and laypeople aswell as the dist inction between those practices advocated by thePali Canon, and the folk religious elements embraced by manymonks have motivated some scholars to consider TheravadaBuddhism to be composed of multiple separate traditions,overlapping though still distinct. Most prominently, theanthropologist Melford Spiro in his work Buddhism and Society

separated Burmese Theravada into three groups: Apotropaic Buddhism (concerned with providing protection
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=18https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Young_monk.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Young_monk.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Buddhist_Schoolshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Householder_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melford_Spiro


19/37


Thai monks on pilgrimage in their orangerobes.

separated Burmese Theravada into three groups:Apotropaic Buddhism (concerned with providing protectionfrom evil spirits), Kammatic Buddhism (concerned with making merit for a future birth), and NibbanicBuddhism (concerned with attaining the liberation of Nirvana, as described in the Tipitaka). He stresses thatall three are firmly rooted in the Pali Canon. These categories are not accepted by all scholars, and areusually considered non-exclusive by those who employ them.

The role of lay people has traditionally been primarily occupied with act ivities that are commonly termedmerit making (falling under Spiro's category of kammatic Buddhism). Merit making activities include offeringfood and other basic necessities to monks, making donations to temples and monasteries, burning incenseor lighting candles before images of the Buddha, and chanting protective or merit-making verses from thePali Canon. Some lay practitioners have always chosen to take a more active role in religious affairs, whilestill maintaining their lay status. Dedicated lay men and women sometimes act as trustees or custodiansfor their temples, taking part in the financial planning and management of the temple. Others may volunteersignificant time in tending to the mundane needs of local monks (by cooking, cleaning, maintaining templefacilities, etc.). Lay activities have traditionally not extended to study of the Pali scriptures, nor the practiceof meditation, though in the 20th Century these areas have become more accessible to the lay community,especially in Thailand.

A number of senior monastics in the Thai Forest Tradition,including Ajahn Buddhadasa, Luang Ta Maha Bua, Ajahn PlienPanyapatipo, Ajahn Pasanno, and Ajahn Jayasaro, have begunteaching meditation retreats outside of the monastery for laydisciples.

Ajahn Chah, a disciple of Ajahn Mun, set up a monastic lineagecalled Cittaviveka with his disciple Ajahn Sumedho, at Chithurstin West Sussex, England. Ajahn Sumedho later founded theAmaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire, which has aretreat center specifically for lay retreats. Sumedho extendedthis to Harnham in Northumberland as Aruna Ratanagiri underthe present guidance of Ajahn Munindo, another disciple of Ajahn

Chah.

Nirvana the highest goal of Theravada Buddhism is attained through study and the practice of morality
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monk_on_pilgrimage.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monk_on_pilgrimage.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_merithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merit_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_meditationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadasahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Ta_Maha_Buahttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plien_Panyapatipo&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ajahn_Pasanno&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ajahn_Jayasaro&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Munhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cittavivekahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Sumedhohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaravati_Buddhist_Monasteryhttp://www.ratanagiri.org/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana


20/37


[edit]

Nirvana, the highest goal of Theravada Buddhism, is attained through study and the practice of morality,meditation and wisdom (sila, samadhi, panna). The goal of Nirvana (and its associated techniques) havetraditionally been seen as the domain of the fully ordained monastic, whereas many of the same techniquescan be used by laypeople to generate happiness in their lives, without focusing on Nirvana. Monastic rolesin the Theravada can be broadly described as being split between the role of the (often urban) scholar monkand the (often rural or forest) meditation monk. Both types of monks serve their communities as spiritualteachers and officiants by presiding over spiritual ceremonies and providing instruction in basic Buddhist

morality and teachings.

Scholar monks undertake the path of studying and preserving the Pali literature of the Theravada. They maydevote little time to the practice of meditation, but may attain great respect and renown by becomingmasters of a particular section of the Pali Canon or its commentaries. Masters of the Abhidhamma, calledAbhidhammika, are particularly respected in the scholastic tradition.

Meditation monks, often called forest monks because of their association with certain wilderness-dwellingtraditions, are considered to be specialists in meditation. While some forest monks may undertake

significant study of the Pali Canon, in general meditation monks are expected to learn primarily from theirmeditation experiences and personal teachers, and may not know more of the Tipitaka than is necessary toparticipate in liturgical life and to provide a foundation for fundamental Buddhist teachings. More so than thescholastic tradition, the meditation tradition is associated with the attainment of certain supernatural powersdescribed in both Pali sources and folk tradition. These powers include the attainment of Nirvana, mind-reading, supernatural power over material objects and their own material bodies, seeing and conversing withgods and beings living in hell, and remembering their past lives. These powers are called abhia.Sometimes the remain of the cremated bone fragment of an accomplished forest monk is believed able totransform itself into crystal-like relics (srira-dhtu).

Ordination

k d f i H b d h
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=19https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C4%ABlahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praj%C3%B1%C4%81https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhidhammahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhi%C3%B1%C3%B1ahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%81rira-dh%C4%81tuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Candidate_for_the_Buddhist_priesthood_is_ordaining_to_is_a_monk_in_a_church.jpg


21/37


Candidate for the Buddhist priesthood isordaining as a monk in Thailand

years, reckoned from conception. However, boys under thatage are allowed to ordain as novices (samanera),performing a ceremony such as Shinbyu in Burma. Novicesshave their heads, wear the yellow robes, and observe tenbasic precepts. Although no specific minimum age fornovices is mentioned in the scriptures, traditionally boys as

young as seven are accepted. This tradition follows thestory of the Lord Buddhas son, Rahula, who was allowed tobecome a novice at the age of seven. Monks follow 227rules of discipline, while nuns follow 311 rules.

In most Theravada countries, it is a common practice foryoung men to ordain as monks for a fixed period of time. InThailand and Burma, young men typically ordain for the 3month Rain Retreat (vassa), though shorter or longer

periods of ordination are not rare. Traditionally, temporaryordination was even more flexible among Laotians. Oncethey had undergone their initial ordination as young men,Laotian men were permitted to temporarily ordain again atany time, though married men were expected to seek theirwife's permission. Throughout Southeast Asia, there is littlestigma attached to leaving the monastic life. Monksregularly leave the robes after acquiring an education, or when compelled by family obligations or ill health.

Ordaining as a monk, even for a short period, is seen as having many virtues. In many Southeast Asiancultures, it is seen as a means for a young man to "repay" his parents for their work and effort in raisinghim, because the merit from his ordination accrues to them as well. Thai men who have ordained as a monkmay be seen as more fit husbands by Thai women, who refer to men who have served as monks with acolloquial term meaning "ripe" to indicate that they are more mature and ready for marriage. Particularly inrural areas, temporary ordination of boys and young men traditionally gave peasant boys an opportunity togain an education in temple schools without committing to a permanent monastic life.

I S i L k t di ti i t ti d d k l i th d i f d Th
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Candidate_for_the_Buddhist_priesthood_is_ordaining_to_is_a_monk_in_a_church.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Candidate_for_the_Buddhist_priesthood_is_ordaining_to_is_a_monk_in_a_church.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinbyuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Precepts_(Buddhism)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassa


22/37


[edit]

In Sri Lanka, temporary ordination is not practiced, and a monk leaving the order is frowned upon. Thecontinuing influence of the caste system in Sri Lanka may play a role in the taboo against temporaryordination and leaving the monkhood. Though Sri Lankan monastic nikayas are often organized along castelines, men who ordain as monks temporarily pass outside of the conventional caste system, and as suchduring their time as monks may act (or be treated) in a way that would not be in line with the expectedduties and privileges of their caste.

Men and women born in western countries, who become Buddhists as adults, wish to become monks ornuns. It is possible, and one can live as a monk or nun in the country they were born in, seek monks ornuns which has gathered in a different western country or move to a monastery in countries like Sri Lankaor Thailand. It is seen as being easier to live a life as a monk or nun in countries where people generally liveby the culture of Buddhism, since it is difficult to live by the rules of a monk or a nun in a western country.For instance; a Theravada monk or nun is not allowed to work, handle money, listen to music, cook and soon, which are extremely difficult rules to live by in cultures which do not embrace Buddhism. Therecommendation is usually that to be able to live fully as a monk or nun you should move to a monastery in

a country with a culture that embraces Theravada Buddhism.Some of the more well-known Theravadan monks are: Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, Ajahn Chah, Ledi Sayadaw,Ajahn Plien Panyapatipo, Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Brahm, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Buddhadasa, Mahasi Sayadaw,Nyanaponika Thera, Preah Maha Ghosananda, Sayadaw U Pandita, Ajahn Amaro, Thanissaro Bhikkhu,Walpola Rahula, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, and Bhante Yogavacara Rahula.

Monastic practices

The practices usually vary in different sub-schools andmonasteries within Theravada. But in the most orthodox forestmonastery, the monk usually models his practice and lifestyle onthat of the Buddha and his first generation of disciples by livingclose to nature in forest, mountains and caves. Forestmonasteries still keep alive the ancient traditions through followingthe Buddhist monastic code of discipline in all its detail and

developing meditation in secluded forests.
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=20https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EveningPrayers01a.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_systemhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Mun_Bhuridattahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledi_Sayadawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plien_Panyapatipo&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Sumedhohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Brahmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhu_Bodhihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhadasahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasi_Sayadawhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyanaponika_Therahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preah_Maha_Ghosanandahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayadaw_U_Panditahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Amarohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanissaro_Bhikkhuhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walpola_Rahulahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhante_Henepola_Gunaratanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bhante_Yogavacara_Rahula&action=edit&redlink=1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EveningPrayers01a.jpg


23/37


A Buddhist Monk chants eveningprayers inside a monastery located nearthe tow n of Kantharalak, Thailand.

In a typical daily routine at the monastery during the 3 monthvassa period, the monk will wake up before dawn and will begin theday with group chanting and meditation. At dawn the monks willgo out to surrounding villages bare-footed on alms-round and willhave the only meal of the day before noon by eating from the bowlby hand. Most of the time is spent on Dhamma study and

meditation. Sometimes the abbot or a senior monk will give aDhamma talk to the visitors. Laity who stay at the monastery willhave to abide by the traditional eight Buddhist precepts.

The life of the monk or nun in a community is much more complexthan the life of the forest monk. In the Buddhist society of SriLanka, most monks spend hours every day in taking care of theneeds of lay people such as preaching bana,[67] accepting alms,

officiating funerals, teaching dhamma to adults and children in addition to providing social services to thecommunity.

After the end of the Vassa period, many of the monks will go out far away from the monastery to find aremote place (usually in the forest) where they can hang their umbrella tents and where it is suitable for thework of self-development. When they go wandering, they walk barefoot, and go wherever they feel inclined.Only those requisites which are necessary will be carried along. These generally consist of the bowl, thethree robes, a bathing cloth, an umbrella tent, a mosquito net, a kettle of water, a water filter, razor,sandals, some small candles, and a candle lantern.

The monks do not fix their times for walking and sitting meditation, for as soon as they are free they juststart doing it; nor do they determine for how long they will go on to meditate. Some of them sometimes walkfrom dusk to dawn whereas at other times they may walk from between two to seven hours. Some maydecide to fast for days or stay at dangerous places where ferocious animals live in order to aid theirmeditation.

Those monks who have been able to achieve a high level of attainment will be able to guide the junior monks

and lay Buddhists toward the four degrees of spiritual attainment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EveningPrayers01a.jpghttp://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EveningPrayers01a.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EveningPrayers01a.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantharalakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailandhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_precepts


24/37


[edit]

[edit]

The ceremony w alks w ith lighted candlesin hand around a temple on Vesakha Puja inUttaradit, Thailand.

Lay devotee

In Pali the word for a male lay devotee is Upasaka. Upasika is itsfemale equivalent. One of the duties of the lay followers, astaught by the Buddha, is to look after the needs of themonk/nuns. They are to see that the monk/nuns do not suffer

from lack of the four requisites: food, clothing, shelter andmedicine. As neither monks nor nuns are allowed to have anoccupation, they depend entirely on the laity for theirsustenance. In return for this charity, they are expected to leadexemplary lives.

In Burma and Thailand, the monastery was and is still regardedas a seat of learning. In fact today about half of the primary

schools in Thailand are located in monasteries. Religious ritualsand ceremonies held in a monastery are always accompanied bysocial activities. In times of crisis, it is to the monks that people bring their problems for counsel.

Traditionally, a ranking monk will deliver a sermon four times a month: when the moon waxes and wanesand the day before the new and full moons. The laity also have a chance to learn meditation from the monksduring these times.

It is also possible for a lay disciple to become enlightened. As Bhikkhu Bodhi notes, "The Suttas andcommentaries do record a few cases of lay disciples attaining the final goal of Nirvana. However, suchdisciples either attain Arahantship on the brink of death or enter the monastic order soon after theirattainment. They do not continue to dwell at home as Arahant householders, for dwelling at home isincompatible with the state of one who has severed all craving." [68]

Influences

According to the linguist Zacharias P. Thundy the word

"Theravada" may have been Hellenized into "Therapeutae," to
http://pdfcrowd.com/http://pdfcrowd.com/redirect/?url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fTheravada&id=ma-120412112220-c3e9f738http://pdfcrowd.com/customize/http://pdfcrowd.com/html-to-pdf-api/?ref=pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=21https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theravada&action=edit&section=22https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vesak_in_Uttaradit_(Thailand)_1.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vesak_in_Uttaradit_(Thailand)_1.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttaradithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thai_Buddhist_flag.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upasakahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thai_Buddhist_flag.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapeutaehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenobitichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria


25/37

pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO versi

en wikipedia org wiki theravada

Documents