Theravada
Theravada is the oldest-surviving denomination of Buddhism.
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History of Theravada Buddism
Theravada was founded in Nepal. It is relatively conservative, and generally closest to early Buddhist practice.[1] For many centuries it has been the main religion of Sri Lanka (now about 70% of the population[2]) and most of continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand). Theravada is also practiced by minorities in parts of southwest China (by the Shan and Tai ethnic groups), Vietnam (by the Khmer Krom), Bangladesh (by the ethnic groups of Baruas, Chakma, and Magh), Malaysia and Indonesia.
Theravada today
Recently this oldest-surviving denomination of Buddhism gaining popularity in Singapore and the Western world. Today Theravada Buddhists, who are also known as Theravadins, number over 100 million worldwide; in recent decades Theravada has begun to take root in the West[3] and in the Buddhist revival in Nepal.[4]
International Buddhist Meditation Center[5] operates in Kathmandu.[6]
Theravada Media
The Thuparamaya Stupa, the earliest stupa after Theravada Buddhism became the official religion in Sri Lanka, dating back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BCE)
The Ruwanwelisaya stupa, built by the Sri Lankan King Dutugemunu (c. 140 BCE)
Gold Plates containing fragments of the Pali Tipitaka (5th century) found in Maunggan (a village near the city of Sriksetra)
Bagan, the capital of the Bagan Kingdom. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, more than 10,000 temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains.
A Burmese man meditates in Myanmar. The widespread practice of meditation by laypersons is a modern development in Theravāda.
Thai Forest teacher Ajahn Chah with Ajahn Sumedho (front right), Ajahn Pasanno (rear and left of Sumedho) and other monastics (1980)
Global Vipassana Pagoda, Maharashtra, India. S.N. Goenka laid the foundation for the structure in 2000 and the pagoda opened in 2009. Regular meditation courses are held at the complex.
Pre-modern copies of the Tipiṭaka were preserved in palm-leaf manuscripts, most of which have not survived the humid climate of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
A full modern set of the Tipiṭaka can fill many volumes (from 40 to over 50 volumes depending on the edition).
The structure of the books considered canonical within the Pali Tripitaka. The Theravāda school generally only recognizes the Pali Tripitaka and rejects the authenticity of other Tripitaka versions.
Theravada monks meditating and practicing mindfulness over simple things like the meal they are about to have
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References
- ↑ Gethin, Foundations, page 1
- ↑ "The World Factbook: Sri Lanka". CIA World Factbook. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2006-08-12..
- ↑ Bullitt, John. "What is Theravada Buddhism?". BuddhaNet. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
In the last century, however, the West has begun to take notice of Theravada's unique spiritual legacy and teachings of Awakening. In recent decades, this interest has swelled, with the monastic Sangha from the various schools within Theravada establishing dozens of monasteries across Europe and North America.
- ↑ Adherents.com Archived 2017-06-30 at the Wayback Machine - See the citations under 'Theravada Buddhism - World'
- ↑ Gyan Jyoti Kansakar (1997). "Culture of Health expands horizons". To Health Via Culture (3): 14–19. ISSN 0204-3440. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
- ↑ "International Buddhist Meditation Center". facebook.com. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
