Theravada Buddhism

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Theravada Buddhism

• The Way of the Elders

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Theravada

• Passes Buddhas teachings unchanged
• they were first oral in nature
• now they are written down
• Although some changes have occurred they have
  probably kept many early traditions.
• They tend to be conservative.

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Theravada

• Stresses reaching nirvana through detachment and
  desirelessness by way of meditation.
• The life of the monk is the surest path.
• The ideal of arhat or perfect being or worthy
  is a person who has reached nirvana.

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The Life of a Theravada Monk

• Beg daily for food and therefore live close to
  the lay people.
• Wander throughout the town.
• The monasteries are located in the center of town
  very often.
• Donors believe that there are increasing their
  karma but giving the monks food and supporting
  the monasteries.

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Reciprocal Relationship

• In return for donations the monasteries set-up
  schools, hospitals, meditation centers, and care
  for stray animals.
• They are honored guests at civic events and in
  homes.
• They are also role models of gentleness and
  compassion and are often consulted for advice.

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Teachings and Literature

• The Pali Canon is the Theravada collection of the
  teachings of Buddha
• As a whole the material is called Tripitaka
  which means three baskets.
• The first collections of the sayings of Buddha in
  the form of sermons or dialogues.
• This type of material is called sutra.

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The Division of the Teachings

• The Sutra is divided into five groups
• Digha Nikaya (long teachings)
• Majjhima Nikaya (middle length teachings)
• Samyutta Nikaya (connected teachings)
• Anguttara Nikaya (graduated teachings)
• Khuddaka Nikaya (small book collections). It
  includes the Dhammapada.

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The Second Collection

• The second collections of writings are called
  vinaya.
• It outlines the procedural rules for monastic
  life.
• It includes rules about begging, eating,
  relations with monks and non-monks, and other
  disciplines.

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The Third Collection

• It is called he abhidharma which means the the
  works that go beyond elemental teachings.
• It is systematized the doctrine presented in more
  or less randomly in the sutras.

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Art and Architecture

• Although images of Buddhism did not appear early
  on, symbols were used to represent Buddha and his
  teachings.
• The eight-spoken wheel represents the Eight Fold
  Path and all of the basic Buddha teachings, the
  Dharma.
• The umbrella symbolized Buddhas authority.
• The stupa or large mound represents the remains
  of important Buddhist monks and sites.

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Stupa Mandala
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