Theravāda Buddhism
Theravāda Buddhism is one of the oldest forms of Buddhism, often referred to as “the way of the ancients” or “Vehicle of the Ancients”. It is a tradition that draws its teachings from the most ancient texts It is also called Hīnayāna “Small Vehicle” – although this term is more controversial, it is sometimes used in some mahāyāna “Great Vehicle” schools to refer to Theravāda. However, it is considered pejorative and its use is therefore to be avoided in a context respectful of the Buddhist canon, known as the Tipitaka or Pali Canon. Here are the key elements that describe theravāda Buddhism: 1. Origin and History:
Theravāda dates back to the first split in Buddhism, after the death of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), and was mainly established in southern Asia, notably Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Theravāda literally means “the teaching of the ancients” in Pali.
2. Sacred texts:
The Tipitaka or Pali Canon is the central text of this tradition.
It is divided into three sections: the Suttas (Buddha’s discourses), the Vinaya (monastic rules) and the Abhidhamma (philosophy and in-depth psychological analysis).
3. Practice:
Meditation: Meditation practices are essential in Theravāda Buddhism, particularly vipassana meditation (meditation of deep vision), which aims to understand the true nature of reality.
Morality: Observance of the five precepts (refrain from killing, stealing, lying, committing inappropriate sexual acts, and consuming intoxicants) is fundamental for lay people. For monks, there are stricter rules (some 227 precepts). Nirvana: The ultimate goal is to attain Nibbāna (or Nirvana), a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. In theravāda, this state is attained through a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. 4. Philosophy:
The Four Noble Truths: Life is marked by suffering (dukkha), this suffering has a cause (desire), it is possible to cease it, and the path to cessation is the Noble Eightfold Path (right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, attention, and concentration). The absence of self(anātman or Anatta): Unlike other spiritual traditions, which speak of an eternal soul, theravāda teaches that the self does not exist permanently. The idea of a “me” or “self” is an illusion.
Interdependence: All phenomena are impermanent and interdependent. There is no fixed essence in beings or objects.
5. Monastic structure:
Theravāda places great emphasis on monastic life. Monks play a central role as practitioners and teachers, and lay people support the sangha (monastic community) in exchange for their spiritual teaching.
6. Lay spirituality:
For lay people, theravāda practice consists mainly of generosity (dāna), morality, and meditation. Meritorious acts (such as donations to monks) are seen as a means of accumulating merit, thus improving the chances of a good future rebirth. 7. Differences with other branches of Buddhism:
Compared with mahāyāna, which advocates the ideal of the bodhisattva (an enlightened being who renounces entry into nirvana in order to help others), theravāda emphasizes the ideal of the arhat, the one who personally attains nirvana. It is often perceived as more conservative and closer to the Buddha’s original teachings than other forms of Buddhism. Theravāda Buddhism is an ancient and rigorous tradition, focused on the understanding of suffering, moral discipline and meditation, with the ultimate goal of attaining nirvana through direct personal practice of the Buddha’s teachings.
