Theravadan+Buddhism

//Theravadan Buddhism // Claire Y, Seohyun K, Jerin L

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//Basic Information // Therava da Buddhism, often called the "doctrine of the elders", is considered to adhere most accurately to the original practices and doctrines taught by Buddha. It was created in the 4th century when Buddhism of India was divided into different sects, and it became prominent in Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The ultimate goal of the Theravada buddhists is to escape samaras, the cyclic realm of suffering, and to enter nirvana, which means release.

//History // Theravada Buddhism is one of the many schools of Buddhism that emerged in India after Buddha's death. It became permanently settled in Sri Lanka between the third century B.C.E. and the sixth century C.E. According to the historians of Buddhism, the term "Theravada" first appeared about a hundred years after Buddha's death when there were disputes related to certain Vinaya of practices of some monks in Central Asia. The views of the monks who opposed the new practices and restated the Old Vinaya became known as the Theravada, "Doctrine of the Elders", and the monks who continued the new practices became known as the Mahasanghika, later the Mahayana. The followers of Theravada Buddhism believe that their teachings and way of life were created by the Buddha himself, and the editors of the Pali canon and its commentaries contributed to the settlement of Theravada as a distinct tradition. As if to resemble the belief in the original ideas of Siddhartha Gautama such the emphasis on ascetic lives, some of the Buddha of Theravada Buddhism are portrayed to be extremely skinny in their appearances.

// Pali Canon // One of the defining characteristics of Theravada Buddhism is their belief in that the Pali language, a dialect of Middle Indo-Aryan is the language of the Buddha. Pali Canon or also known as Tripitaka, the Three Baskets is the only canonical text recognized by Theravadan Buddhists. It is the earliest record of Buddha’s teachings written in Sri Lanka during the Fourth Buddhist Council held in the 1st century. Tripitaka is composed of 3 sections: Vinaya Pitaka, the Discipline Basket Sutra Pitaka, the D iscourse Baske t, and Abhidharma Pitaka, the Higher Knowledge Basket. Vinaya Pitaka c oncerns with the regulations of sangha, the monastic community and its relation with the laity. Sutra P itaka discusses about Buddha’s teachings and meditation techniques. Abhidharma Pitaka, the last section of Pali canon contains poetries, songs, stories, and sayings of Buddha.

//Monastic Life / Relationship Between Monks & Lay People // In Theravada Buddhism, it is considered highly unlike for a laity to achieve nirvana. The best way to achieve nirvana according to Theravada is by living as a monk or a nun. Therefore it places great importance in the monastic community. Full monks and nuns called bikkhus and bikkhunis live under strict guidelines: they are trained in the 227 rules or for the nuns the 331 rules recorded in the Tripitaka, they are n ot allowed to handle money, and are not permitted to eat after midday. The strong establishment of sangha in Theravada buddhism greatly influences the laities. For instance, in Thailand and Burma, youngsters spend several months in a monastery as part of their education, and some enter the monastery as young as seven to become a bikkhu.

// Meditation // Like in all branches of Buddhism, meditation is a major aspect of Theravadan Buddhism. The two major meditations practiced by Theravada are Samatha and Vipassana. Samatha or the calming meditation is not unique to Buddhism, nonetheless it is practiced by Theravadans to calm the mind and reach a higher jhanic state or state of consciousness. Vipassana also called insight meditation is practiced to alter one’s perception of the universe and realize the true nature of things. Vipassana is considered to be a more superior form of meditation than Samatha whose effect is only temporary.

// Goals // A devotee of Theravada would have only one goal in mind: to become an **arhat** or **arahant**. An arhat was another term for one who has attained perfect enlightenment and overcome akusala, the impurities of desire and hatred. In addition, an arhat would never be born again, freeing him from the sufferings of birth, death, and rebirth. According to an expression in the Tipitaka, an arhat is 'one who has laid down the burden'. Becoming an arhat was the goal of the Theravada faith and it was extremely unlikely for one to reach liberation. On the other hand, Mahayana Buddhism allowed more disciples to participate and achieve nirvana. Thus, Theravadin Buddhism is conveyed as the "lesser vehicle" because of the scarce number of people able to become an arhat in contrast to the "bigger vehicle" which is common Buddhism.

// 4 Stages // Theravadins have developed four stages a Buddhist must encounter and experience before becoming an arhat.

 **1. Sotapanna (stream-enterer)**: During this stage, the pupil is a convert, which is accomplished by prevailing false beliefs

 **2. Sakadagamin (once-returner)**: In the second stage, the devotee perfects his perception and will be reborn as a human only once more. Lust and hatred must be diminished.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **3. Anagamin (never-returner)**: Here, the disciple will never be born again in the earth realm and instead, be born in heaven

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **4. Arhat (worthy one):** The final stage is when the person has completely broken bad habits and achieved perfect enlightenment. He will never be born again.

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