Theravada Buddhism, also known as the “Doctrine of the Elders,” is the oldest surviving tradition and one of the three main branches of Buddhism. The other two are Mahayana and Vajrayana, although many scholars consider Vajrayana a sect of Mahayana. With its roots in ancient India, Theravada Buddhism follows the teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In fact, Theravada Buddhists (Theravadins) consider themselves the heirs to the original teachings of the Buddha. They have preserved Buddha’s teachings in Pali language, and compiled what is known as the Pali canon, or Tipitaka, the most complete Buddhist canon.
The Theravada school places great emphasis on doctrine and discipline. It teaches that each person must strive to attain enlightenment through their own efforts, and that the path to enlightenment involves the practice of ethical conduct, mindfulness, and meditation. The ultimate goal is to break the cycle of birth and death and reach the state of Arahant or Arhat. Monasticism and meditation are highly valued in the Theravada tradition, and monks are seen as important spiritual leaders and teachers. is conservative emphasizes doctrine and monastic discipline.
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Table of Contents
- The Historical Background of Theravada Buddhism
- The Core Tenets of Theravada Buddhism
- Theravada Monastic Life
- Theravada Meditation & Mindfulness
- The 3 Characteristics of Existence
- The Ten Perfections of Theravada Buddhism
- The Four Stages of Awakening in Theravada
- Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
- The Influence & Spread of Theravada Buddhism
- Conclusion & Final Thoughts
The Historical Background of Theravada Buddhism
The origins of Theravada can be traced to the Vibhajyavada group of early buddhists within the Sthavira Nikaya tradition. According to scholars, about one hundred years after the death of the Buddha a schism occured in the Sangha, the buddhist community. As a result, a group of early buddhists, the Sthavira Nikaya, broke away from the Mahasamghika majority, one of the early schools of buddhist thought.
With the help of Mauryan kings and especially Ashoka the Great, who patronized monasteries and temples, Theravada spread throughout India and especially Sri Lanka. From around the 3rd century BCE Theravada started gaining a foothold and eventually became the dominant religion of Anuradhapura, the first kingdom of Sri Lanka. Moreover, aided by the support of Burmese and Thai kings, Theravada became predominant in Burma and Thailand, and spread throughout Southeast Asia, especially in Laos and Cambodia. Consequently, Theravada is also known as Southern Buddhism.
The Core Tenets of Theravada Buddhism
Like the other schools of Buddhism, Theravada aims to alleviate suffering and liberate from samsara, the endless cycle of death and rebirth. The ultimate goal of Theravada is the arhat or arahant, a perfected being who has transcended desire and lust and has reached nirvana or nibbana as a result of his own efforts.
However, in contrast to the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools, Theravada is very conservative in matters of discipline and doctrine. Monastic life and meditation are of paramount importance and the only way to achieve the goal of nirvana. The roles of laymen and monks are clearly differentiated. It is not possible to attain enlightenment when living the life of layman. A fully committed monastic life is the only way. The monastic vocation is split between urban monasteries (city monks studying and learning), and forest monks or monastic communities, living closer to the ideals of Buddha.
Theravada Monastic Life
Monastic life, characterized by renunciation, celibacy, and strict adherence to precepts, is considered the ideal path for attaining enlightenment. Buddhist monks and nuns dedicate their lives to study, meditation, and the preservation of the Dhamma. Anyone can join the monastic order (Vinaya) as a monk or nun, at any age, some as young as seven.
On the other hand, lay practitioners, while leading ordinary lives, seek to incorporate Buddhist teachings into their daily routines through acts of generosity, moral conduct, and mindfulness. There is a strong spirit of mutual support between monks and lay men and women. The latter provide food, medicine and cloth for the robes while the former offer spiritual guidance and blessings.
Theravada Meditation & Mindfulness
Meditation plays a crucial role in Theravada Buddhism. There are various forms of meditation traditions such as Vipassana, Thai Forest, Insight Meditation but we can broadly categorize them as Samatha and Vipassana. Samatha meaning calm, is a technique where the mind focuses on an object or an idea for achieving meditative consciousness. Vipassana, meaning insight, focuses on gaining understanding and awareness on the nature of physical and mental phenomena as they arise.
Vipassana, cultivates awareness and insight into the true nature of reality. By observing the breath, bodily sensations, and mental states, practitioners develop a deep understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. This meditation practice allows individuals to gain wisdom and liberate themselves from the cycle of suffering.
Like the other buddhist schools of thought, Theravada tradition The core is in the Pali canon central concepts of Karma, Nirvana, the four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path / The Abhidhamma Pitaka contains the Buddhist teachings on philosophy and psychology, and it provides a more detailed analysis of the nature of the mind, consciousness, and mental factors. taught by the Buddha himself.
The 3 Characteristics of Existence
Central to Theravada Buddhism are the three characteristics of existence: impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). The belief in impermanence states that all conditioned phenomena are subject to change, highlighting the transient nature of existence. The concept of suffering refers not only to physical pain but also to the unsatisfactory nature of worldly experiences. Lastly, the doctrine of non-self posits that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
The Ten Perfections of Theravada Buddhism
The Ten Perfections, also known as the Ten Paramis, are qualities and virtues that practitioners cultivate to attain spiritual perfection and ultimately progress on the path toward liberation and the end of suffering.
Generosity (Dana Parami)
Generosity is the act of giving, offering, and sharing without attachment or expectation of anything in return. Practicing generosity involves donating material goods, providing support, and offering one’s time and resources for the benefit of others.
Moral Conduct (Sila Parami)
Moral Conduct encompasses observing and upholding ethical principles and virtuous behavior. It involves refraining from harmful actions such as killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and consuming intoxicants. Practicing moral conduct promotes harmony, integrity, and the well-being of oneself and others.
Renunciation (Nekkhamma Parami)
Renunciation refers to letting go of attachments and desires for worldly pleasures and sensual gratification. It involves cultivating contentment, simplicity, and detachment from material possessions, leading to freedom from craving and suffering.
Wisdom (Panna Parami)
Wisdom is the development of insight and understanding into the nature of reality. It includes the understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. Wisdom arises through the practice of meditation, mindfulness, and the study of Buddhist teachings, leading to the direct realization of truth.
Energy/Effort (Virya Parami)
Energy or effort is the application of diligent and sustained effort in one’s spiritual practice. It involves perseverance, enthusiasm, and the diligent cultivation of wholesome qualities, such as meditation, study, and ethical conduct.
Patience (Khanti Parami)
Patience is the ability to endure hardship, difficulties, and challenges with a calm and composed mind. It involves practicing forbearance, tolerance, and the ability to remain steadfast on the path despite obstacles or setbacks.
Truthfulness (Sacca Parami)
Truthfulness is the commitment to honesty, integrity, and speaking the truth. It involves refraining from falsehood, deceit, and harmful speech. Practicing truthfulness promotes trust, transparency, and ethical communication.
Determination/Resolution (Adhitthana Paramita)
Determination is the unwavering resolve and commitment to achieve spiritual goals and maintain virtuous conduct. It involves setting clear intentions, making firm decisions, and following through with dedicated effort.
Loving kindness (Metta Parami)
Loving kindness is the cultivation of boundless love, compassion, and goodwill towards all beings. It involves developing a sincere and unconditional benevolence, wishing for the welfare, happiness, and freedom from suffering of all sentient beings.
Equanimity (Upekkha Parami)
Equanimity is the state of balance, calmness, and impartiality, especially in the face of life’s ups and downs. It involves developing a mind that is neither attached to pleasant experiences nor averse to unpleasant ones. Equanimity fosters a sense of peace, stability, and non-reactivity.
The Four Stages of Awakening in Theravada
According to Theravada Buddhism, the traditional understanding of the stages of awakening, also known as the Four Stages of Enlightenment or Four Paths, refers to the progressive levels of spiritual realization and liberation from suffering. These stages represent the gradual eradication of defilements and the development of wisdom. Here are the four stages:
Stream Entry (Sotapanna)
This is the initial stage of awakening. At this stage, one gains a direct experiential insight into the Three Marks of Existence: impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). The stream-enterer has complete confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma (teachings), and Sangha (monastic community). They have reduced the belief in a separate self and have weakened the influence of the five lower fetters: self-identity views, doubt, clinging to rites and rituals, sensual desire, and ill will. They are guaranteed to attain full enlightenment within a maximum of seven more rebirths.
Once-Returner (Sakadagami)
At this stage, the practitioner further weakens sensual desire and ill-will. They have significantly reduced these defilements and attained a higher level of purity. The once-returner has at most one more rebirth in the human or heavenly realms before attaining enlightenment.
Non-Returner (Anagami)
The non-returner has completely eradicated sensual desire and ill will. They have transcended the lower five fetters, including craving for sensual pleasures, and have greatly weakened the higher five fetters: craving for material existence, craving for immaterial existence, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance. The non-returner will not be reborn in the human realm or any lower realms but will attain enlightenment in a higher realm known as the Pure Abodes.
Arahant
The fourth and final stage is that of the Arahant, the fully enlightened one. The Arahant has completely eradicated all defilements, including the fetters of craving, conceit, and ignorance. They have attained the supreme wisdom and liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara). Arahants are free from all mental and emotional suffering and have attained the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
Theravada and Mahayana are the two major traditions of buddhism, and while Theravada has its own distinct characteristics, it is important to point its differences with Mahayana.
For a start, Theravada places emphasis on individual liberation while Mahayana stresses the bodhisattva ideal, the aspiration to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. Further, Therevada holds that the Buddha path is not for everyone and that beings on the Buddha path are quite rare.
On the other hand, Mahayana Buddhists believe that there are numerous Buddhas (such as Amitabha and Vairocana) or Boddhisatvas currently present, an idea that Theravada rejects. Also, Theravadins prophesize a future Buddha or Maitreya who will establish dharma upon earth.
Mahayana recognizes various doctrines and texts such as the Mahayana suttas which Theravada rejects.
The Influence & Spread of Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism has had a significant impact on the development of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The tradition has adapted to local customs and cultures while remaining grounded in the original teachings.
In the In the 19th and 20th centuries, Theravada Buddhists came into direct contact with western ideologies, religions and modern science. The various responses to this encounter have been called Buddhist modernism and Vipassana movement
The growth of forest traditions forest living and monastic discipline, such as the Thai Forest Tradition and the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition.
In recent times, interest has swelled worldwide, attracting practitioners from diverse backgrounds who appreciate its teachings of awakening.
In recent decades, Theravada Buddhism has gained popularity and followers beyond its traditional boundaries. The West has begun to take notice of its teachings, establishing dozens of monasteries across Europe and North America. The practice of mindfulness meditation, derived from Theravada Buddhist traditions, has found its way into mainstream society, with its benefits recognized in fields such as healthcare, psychology, and stress reduction.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
With its unique spiritual legacy, Theravada stands as a profound and ancient path to liberation and enlightenment. With its emphasis on personal practice, meditation, and ethical conduct, it offers individuals a transformative journey towards understanding the nature of suffering and attaining liberation. As a major Buddhist tradition, Theravada Buddhism has had a lasting impact on the spiritual, cultural, and social fabric of the countries in which it thrives. Its teachings continue to inspire and guide individuals in their pursuit of wisdom, compassion, and ultimate liberation from suffering.
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