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Theravada Buddhism
By peace | May 3, 2008
Theravada — the Way of the Elders — is the oldest form of Buddhism, being largely unchanged from the third century BC. The word ‘theravada’ means ‘teachings of the elders’. It is found throughout Southeast Asia. In Theravada Buddhism, the liberation of the individual, spiritual philosophy and a system of ethics are emphasised. Its teachings come from the Pali Scriptures, interpreted in a conservative manner that gives prime importance to the Sangha of ordained monks and the liberation of the individual. It is prevalent in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The monkhood is an institution and most men live as monks at some point of their lives.
The essence of the Theravadin way is based on the monastic life. This is the way to attain Nirvana, and for most lay people, the goal is to be reborn in a life where they can become a monk or nun. Many laymen become monks for a few months, either in their teens or after their families have been cared for. Boys, when turn 11, stay in a monastery for a few months as novice monks. Women are unable to enter the monastic order. The lineage of nuns was discontinued in the early days.
Monks are not allowed to work or handle money. Their main activities are meditation, study and teaching the Dharma. Their only possessions are their robes, and a few articles for daily use. The Theravadin Sangha claims unbroken succession from Buddha, as each ordination has to be conducted by a number of fully ordained monks.
The teachings of the Theravada are the basic tenets of Buddhism. They are the Signs of being (dukkha, that life is essentially unsatisfactory, annica, that all things are impermanent or constantly changing; and annatta, that we do not have a permanent unchanging self.); the four noble truths and the noble eightfold path. Most Theravadan Buddhists aspire to have a better rebirth instead, and so perform good deeds to bring about this outcome. The practise of morality is very important, based on the Precepts or rule of life. The five basic precepts are:
- not to kill or harm living beings
- not to take what is not freely given
- not to indulge in sexual impropriety
- not to use slanderous or lying speech
- not to become intoxicated by using substances that cloud the mind
People become Buddhists by annocuncing usually before a monk, that they, “Take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha”, and by agreeing to follow these five precepts.
An important practice is meditation, the means by which the Buddha achieved his goal of enlightenment. There are many kinds of meditation, and the basic forms practised in Theravada Buddhism are also found in other traditions.
People gain merit by following the Six Perfections: morality, generosity, patience, energy, concentration and wisdom. Although followers can become enlightened through their own efforts, they cannot do so in isolation. Rather, it comes from the collaborative efforts of the followers and the monks, in that it is the followers’ good deeds towards the monks that allow them to gain merit.
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