Notes

Approximately 150 million people follow Theravada Buddhism, which is a major branch of Buddhism. Most of these people live in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. It's called the "Southern School of Buddhism," (“school of elder monks” or “school of the ancients”) and it focuses on the basic teachings of Buddha that are found in the Pali Canon, also called the Tipitaka. Many people in this school say they have kept Buddha's lessons in their purest form.

Theravada Buddhism puts a lot of value on monastery life, and monks are very important to their communities. As ways to reach enlightenment, the religion stresses the importance of meditation, moral behavior, and knowing the Four Noble Truths. The first noble truth identifies the origin of the problem (dukkha), the second noble truth explains the cause of suffering (samodaya), and the third noble truth asserts that there is a cessation (nirodha) to suffering and bondage by eliminating craving and desire; the last, the fourth noble truth, directs an individual to the path (magga) leading to the termination of craving and desire and to eventual cessation of pain. Rituals like giving food and chanting are popular, and families and communities strongly support monastic life.

Ancient monasteries in Sri Lanka, such as Mahavihara, Abhayagiri Vihara, and Jetavana, are where Theravada Buddhism got its start. Mindfulness and meditation, which are taught by it, have become famous in the West as well. With its roots in ancient Buddhist texts and practices, Theravada Buddhism has a lot of culture history to offer.


TheravadaBuddhism, with 150 million adherents, is followed in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

The early schools of Buddhism developed their own unique body of sacred texts. Of these, however, only the Pali Canon or the Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three baskets”) of Theravada Buddhism survives (Coogan 2005). Preserved in the Pali language, this standard collection of scriptures of Theravada Buddhists is the frst known, the most conservative, and the most complete extant early canon of Buddhist writings. Immediately after Siddhartha’s death or parinirvana, the “First Buddhist
Council” was called to order to recite the content of his teachings or dhamma/dharma. These teachings were initially passed down orally until they were recorded in palm trees after fve centuries during the “Fourth Buddhist Council” held in 29 B.C.E. The monks saw the need to commit into writing the Pali Canon so that in the event that the monks die, important Buddhist teachings would still remain. The council was convened in Tambapanni as a result of poor harvests in Sri Lanka that starved many monks. With the support of the Sri Lankan king, Vattagamani or Valagamba of Anuradha pura, the council lasted for three years. Five hundred monks recited Siddhartha’s teachings as they recorded them in palm trees.
amitra established Buddhism in then Ceylon. The subdivisions of Theravada that existed during the early history of Sri Lanka can be traced from the three monasteries of Mahavihara, Abhayagiri viTheravadaBuddhism, with 150 million adherents, is followed in Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

The early schools of Buddhism developed their own unique body of sacred texts. Of these, however, only the Pali Canon or the Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three baskets”) of Theravada Buddhism survives (Coogan 2005). Preserved in the Pali language, this standard collection of scriptures of Theravada Buddhists is the frst known, the most conservative, and the most complete extant early canon of Buddhist writings. Immediately after Siddhartha’s death or parinirvana, the “First Buddhist
Council” was called to order to recite the content of his teachings or dhamma/dharma. These teachings were initially passed down orally until they were recorded in palm trees after fve centuries during the “Fourth Buddhist Council” held in 29 B.C.E. The monks saw the need to commit into writing the Pali Canon so that in the event that the monks die, important Buddhist teachings would still remain. The council was convened in Tambapanni as a result of poor harvests in Sri Lanka that starved many monks. With the support of the Sri Lankan king, Vattagamani or Valagamba of Anuradha pura, the council lasted for three years. Five hundred monks recited Siddhartha’s teachings as they recorded them in palm trees.
hara, and Jetavana. The Mahavihara or “Great Monastery” of Anuradhapura was founded by the king Devanampiya Tissa who ruled between 307 B.C.E. to 267 B.C.E. Another major monastery in Sri Lanka was the Abhayagiri vihara where an ancient stupa still stands today, the Abhayagiri Dagaba. The Abhayagiri Dagaba was established by the king Valagamba between 89 B.C.E. and 77 B.C.E. Lastly, Jetavana is another popular monastery founded by the king Mahasena who ruled between 277 B.C.E. and 304 C.E. The layout of the Jetavana monastery is similar to the Abhayagiri vihara though smaller in dimensions.

The fundamental teachings of Buddhism are closely tied to the life of Siddhartha Gautamawho was born between 563 B.C.E. to 480 B.C.E. in Lumbini in the foothills of the Nepalese Himalayas.

The Theravada sect is the school of Buddhism that draw its scriptural inspiration from the Pali Canon or Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three baskets”).

The teachings of Siddhartha include discourses on the “Four Noble Truths,” “Noble Eight-fold Path,” “Impermanence of Things,” and “Dependent Origination.”

The sangha pertains to the Buddhist order and monastic community as founded by Siddhartha during the same year that he attained his enlightenment.

Most Buddhist festivals are frequently happy celebrations. Most Buddhist festivals are held to commemorate important events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama.

The subdivisions of Theravada that existed during the early history of Sri Lanka can be traced from the three monasteries of Mahavihara, Abhayagiri vihara, and Jetavana.