Theravada

Theravāda is the oldest existing school of Buddhism.

The name comes from the Pali words *thera*, meaning senior monk, and *vāda*, meaning doctrine or teaching. Therefore, the term translates to "Doctrine of the Elders." This title honors the school's roots in the early Buddhist Sthavira nikāya. Adherents of this tradition are called Theravādins. They aim to preserve the original teachings of the Buddha, known as the Dhamma.

This school is characterized by a conservative approach to religious study and discipline. Theravādins focus heavily on *pariyatti*, which is the theoretical study of the doctrine. They also strictly follow the *Vinaya*, the rules governing monastic life. Because they prioritize these ancient standards, they reject the authenticity of Mahāyāna sutras. This means they do not recognize many figures found in other branches. For instance, they do not include Buddhas or bodhisattvas like Amitābha or Vairocana. These figures are not found within their primary scriptures.

The foundation of the tradition lies in the Pāli Canon. This is the most complete Buddhist canon surviving in a classical Indian language. Pāli serves as both the sacred language and the *lingua franca* for the school. The Pāli Canon was committed to writing during the first century BCE.

These texts provide the essential framework for all Theravādin belief and practice. By maintaining this specific linguistic and textual tradition, the school ensures historical continuity.

The history of Theravāda is tied to the movement of people and ideas across Asia. It descended from the Vibhajjavāda, a division within the Sthavira nikāya. In India, the tradition grew significantly from the 3rd century BCE onward. This growth was aided by the patronage of Mauryan kings, such as Ashoka. Missionary monks like Mahinda helped carry the faith to Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, the tradition centered around the Mahāvihāra in Anuradhapura.

From these historical centers, the faith eventually spread into Southeast Asia.

In Sri Lanka, the Mahāvihāra tradition became a dominant force. It faced competition from other sects like the Abhayagiri and Jetavana. The Abhayagiri sect studied Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna texts, but the Mahāvihāra rejected them. Scholars like Buddhaghosa focused instead on the exegesis of Pali scriptures. Eventually, King Parākramabāhu I unified the monastic community in the 12th century.

This unification ensured the Mahāvihāra style of Buddhism would prevail. From Sri Lanka, the tradition moved into the mainland Southeast Asian kingdoms.

Theravāda has had a massive impact on the geography of Buddhism. It became the dominant form of Buddhism in much of Southeast Asia. As of 2010, Theravāda is the second largest branch of Buddhism. It accounts for 36% of all Buddhists, while Mahāyāna accounts for 53%.

It is the official religion in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Cambodia. It is also the primary variant in Laos and Thailand. In the 11th to 13th centuries, monks and elites led widespread conversions. Kings like Anawrahta of Burma and Ram Khamhaeng of Thailand were vital supporters.

In the modern era, the tradition has experienced several significant movements. One major development is the Vipassana movement, which reinvigorated meditation practices. Another is the Thai Forest Tradition, which emphasizes forest monasticism.

There is also a trend known as Buddhist modernism. This involves responding to Western ideologies and modern science. While Buddhist institutions in former colonies lost some educational roles, new organizations arose to preserve scholarship. Today, the tradition continues to spread to the West, including the European Union and the United States.