Theravada

Origins

• Theravada Buddhism (pronounced terra-vada)
• Based on the Tipitaka , holy book of Buddha's sermons
• Recorded and passed down orally
• Written and established as Theravada in 480 BCE
• http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/whats-thera.htm

Population/Geography

• There are currently over 100 million Theravada Buddhists
• Predominantly followed in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma
• Recently Theravada has moved west, to Australia and the US
• http://www.accesstoinsight.org/theravada.html

Major Beliefs/Teachings

• Buddha based his teachings on the Four Noble Truths
• All Truths are frameworks relative to enlightenment   
• 1) Dukkha: suffering, dissatisfaction, discontent, and stress
• 2) Cause of Dukkha: craving for sensuality
• 3) Cessation of Dukkha: relinquishment of craving

Major Beliefs/Teachings

• 4) Practice of Dukkha: view, resolve, speech, action,
• (continued) livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration
• People are ignorant and locked in rebirth and karma
• Enlightenment breaks this cycle and frees one's soul
• http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca1/index.html

Practices

• Theravada followers utilize the Eightfold Path as a guide
• The Eightfold Path is made up of the principles of the Fourth Dukkha
• Putting these principles into practice guides one towards enlightenment
• Developing these virtues provides spiritual release
• http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca4/index.html

Scriptures

• The Tipitaka is the record of Buddha's sermons
• Recorded in Pali, the language Buddha used in his teachings
• The Tipitaka is separated into three parts 
• Often passed down orally in Indian and Thai monasteries
• http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/index.html

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