THERAVADA BUDDHISM

• Theravada Buddhism is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism.

  -It follows the original teachings of the Buddha and traces its lineage back to the Elders.

  -It is often referred to as the "Teaching of the Elders".

  -It is also known for its reverence for the arhat. An arhat is considered a perfected saint or a fully awakened being who has attained nirvana, which is the ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism
• Core Teachings: 1. Beliefs About Merit and Alms Giving

  2. Beliefs About Heaven, Hell, and the Lives of the Buddha
• Merit


  Accumulated through virtuous actions such as generosity, kindness, and ethical conduct
• Beliefs about merit in Theravada Buddhism

  Doing good things like helping others or being kind earns you merit, which paves the way for favorable circumstances in this life and future rebirths
• Alms giving (dāna)


  Offering material support, such as food, clothing, and shelter, to monastic communities (sangha) and fellow practitioners
• Alms giving

  • Cultivates generosity and compassion, essential qualities on the path to enlightenment
  • Involves giving without expecting anything in return
• Theravada Buddhism


  Belief in multiple planes of existence, including heaven and hell realms
• Planes of existence in Theravada Buddhism

  • 31 planes, or forms of beings
  • 6 floors of heaven
  • 7 floors of hell
• Gautama (Siddhartha and The Buddha)


  • Was a man, not a god or myth or legend
  • Was subject to the same pain and suffering as other humans
  • Sought a transcendent state beyond human life
• The last 10 lives of Buddha

  • Prince Taymi
  • Zanekka
  • Thuwunna Tharma
  • Nay-mi
  • Prophet Mahaw-tha-htar
  • Bu-ri-dut
  • San
  • Nar
  • Widura Minister
  • 10) King Weithantayar
• Many wrote about the last 10 lives of Buddha in the past
• Fundamental Beliefs:

  Moving on to fundamental beliefs, we'll learn about nirvana, the ultimate goal in Theravada Buddhism.

  Nirvana is a state of enlightenment where the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth ends. Let us explore the stages of enlightenment, from Sotapanna to Arhat, each representing a step closer to nirvana.
• Sotapanna


  One who enters the stream, a moment of realization where one understands the nature of existence, recognizes the illusions of the world, and glimpses the true path towards liberation
• Sakadagamin


  One who returns once, the practitioner has significantly reduced their attachments to worldly desires and cravings, on the path of diminishing their karmic baggage, aiming to be reborn only one more time before achieving nirvana
• Anagami


  One who never returns, the individual has transcended many worldly attachments and is no longer bound to the cycle of rebirth in the human world, they exist among other partially enlightened beings, closer to the state of arhatship
• Arhat


  The pinnacle of enlightenment, an enlightened being who has completely eradicated ignorance, attachments, and desires, free from the cycle of birth and rebirth, having achieved nirvana, and will never again be subject to worldly existence
• Through these stages, Theravada Buddhists believe in the gradual but profound transformation of consciousness, leading to the ultimate realization and liberation from suffering
• Practices: Theravada Life Now, let's dive into the practices of Theravada life.

  Monastic life plays a significant role, with monks and nuns following strict Monastic Order or Vinaya rules which consist of 227 rules (more for nuns). Within these rules are the 5 Precepts which are undertaken by all those trying to adhere to a Buddhist way of life.
• 5 PRECEPTS ADHERE TO BUDDHA WAY OF LIFE

  1. Refrain from harming living beings 2. Refrain from taking that which is not freely given 3. Refrain from sexual misconduct 4. Refrain from wrong speech; such as lying, idle chatter, malicious gossip or harsh speech 5. Refrain from intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness
• Theravada Buddhists engaged in daily routines focused on meditation and spiritual growth.

  Meditation is impossible for a person who lacks wisdom. Wisdom is impossible for a person who does not meditate. A person who both meditates and possesses wisdom is close to Nibbana.
• Meditation in Theravada Buddhism, comes in two forms.

  First is Samatha, also known as calming meditation. It helps calm the mind and brings temporary peace. Think of it like taking a break from a busy day.

  The second type is Vipassana, or insight meditation. This one goes deeper, aiming to change how we see and understand things for good. It's like getting a new perspective on life.

  So, while Samatha gives a temporary calmness, Vipassana aims for a lasting change in how we perceive the world.
• Lay People and Monks and relationship

  in Theravada Buddhism, there are lay people and monks. Lay people follow simpler rules compared to monks, focusing on five basic Buddhist principles. There's a strong bond between monks and lay people. Lay people offer necessities like food and clothes, while monks provide spiritual guidance without expecting anything in return.
• Ceremonies

  Theravada Buddhism has important ceremonies like Wesak, also known as Vesak or Buddha Day, which is a significant Buddhist festival celebrated to honor three major events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing away (nirvana). It is one of the most important observances in Buddhism and is typically held on the full moon day in May.
• Sacred Texts The teachings were written down in Sri Lanka during the 1st century CE. They were preserved in the Pali canon, divided into three sections:


  •Vinaya Pitaka.

  •Sutta Pitaka

  •Abhidamma Pitaka
• 1. Vinaya Pitaka. (the code for monastic life) These rules are followed by Buddhist monks

  and nuns, who recite the 227 rules twice a month

  
• 2. Sutta Pitaka. (teachings of the Buddha) This contains the whole of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. It includes the Dhammapada which contains the essence of Buddha's teaching

  
• 3. Abhidamma Pitaka. (supplementary philosophy and religious teaching) The texts have remained unaltered since they were written down. Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition consider it important to learn sections of these texts by heart.

  
• The teachings were written down in Sri Lanka

  1st century CE
• Sections of the Pali canon

  • Vinaya Pitaka
  • Sutta Pitaka
  • Abhidamma Pitaka
• Vinaya Pitaka


  The code for monastic life, followed by Buddhist monks and nuns who recite the 227 rules twice a month
• Sutta Pitaka


  Teachings of the Buddha, containing the whole of Buddhist philosophy and ethics, including the Dhammapada which contains the essence of Buddha's teaching
• Abhidamma Pitaka


  Supplementary philosophy and religious teaching
• The texts have remained unaltered since they were written down</b>
• Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition consider it important to learn sections of these texts by heart
• The sacred texts are not divine revelations or absolute truths that followers accept as a matter of faith
• The sacred texts are tools that the individual tries to use in their own life