Theravada
Southeast Asian Buddhism
Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism, practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
The name means "teaching of the elders" in Pali, the language of its scriptures.
Theravada emphasizes individual monasticism and meditation as the path to enlightenment, in contrast to Mahayana Buddhism's broader focus on universal salvation.
He studied Theravada meditation techniques in Thailand.
Island nation near India
Awareness of the present
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- loving-kindnessBenevolent, tender affection
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
tranquility · Dana · precepts · meditation retreat · noting · walking meditation
Sri Lanka's former name
- BuddhaghosaTheravada's foremost commentator
- missionsAssigned important tasks
Buddhist scriptural language
- Abhidhamma PitakaBuddhist philosophical treatise collection
- BuddhaghosaTheravada's foremost commentator
- commentariesExplanatory notes on texts
Buddhist monastic community
- VinayaBuddhist code of conduct
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- robesLong loose outer garments
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
abbot · novice · laity · dana · renunciation
Cycle of rebirth
- Four Noble TruthsBuddhism's core teaching
- wholesomeConducive to well-being
- unwholesomeDetrimental to wellbeing
nirvana
Release from cyclical existence
- self-liberationFreeing oneself from oppression
Sri Lanka
Island nation near India
- ThailandSoutheast Asian kingdom
- MyanmarRenamed Southeast Asian nation
- CambodiaIndochinese kingdom near Vietnam
Laos · Southeast Asia · Sinhalese · Khmer
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- loving-kindnessBenevolent, tender affection
equanimity · tranquility · Dana · precepts · meditation retreat · noting · walking meditation
Ceylon
Sri Lanka's former name
- BuddhaghosaTheravada's foremost commentator
- missionsAssigned important tasks
Pali
Buddhist scriptural language
- Abhidhamma PitakaBuddhist philosophical treatise collection
- BuddhaghosaTheravada's foremost commentator
- commentariesExplanatory notes on texts
Sangha
Buddhist monastic community
- VinayaBuddhist code of conduct
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- robesLong loose outer garments
Samsara
Cycle of rebirth
- Four Noble TruthsBuddhism's core teaching
- wholesomeConducive to well-being
- unwholesomeDetrimental to wellbeing
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- religionsChristianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism
- Southeast AsiaVietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- meditationbreathing meditation, breath, breath meditation, mantra, breathing
- BuddhismBuddha, dharma wheel, Four Noble Truths, nirvana, dharma
- Theravada BuddhismAncient path of elders