THERAVADA
BUDDHISM
Caballero, S., Cabrera, A., Cabrera, C., Cabriana, M., Cabriana, R., Duran, M.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Disciples of Siddhartha Gautama spread his word and
preached throughout various communities, there came
a need to adapt to local culture, politics, and economic
context.
• Buddhism has been in existence for over 2,500 years
and has never experienced any drastic or radical
schisms in its evolution.
• Emerging branches of Buddhism had become adjusted
to the milieu of the place. They may differ on the
doctrines of Buddhism but their relationships with other
subgroups are generally good.
THERAVADA BUDDHISM
- Theravada Buddhists strive to become
arhats and gain freedom from the
cycle samsara. It is also self-centered,
like “Save yourself from sufferings.”
- Theravada Buddhism means “school
of elder monks” or “school of
ancients”
- All about teachings
LIFE OF THE
BUDDHA
SACRED SCRIPTURES
The early schools of Buddhism developed their own
unique body of sacred texts. However, only the Pali Canon
or the Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“Three Baskets”) of Theravada
Buddhism Survives.
In Pali language, the word pitaka translates as
“basket” referring to the receptacles where the palm leaf
manuscripts were stored by the monks.
1. Sutta Pitaka (discourse)
2. Vinaya Pitaka (discipline)
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka (ultimate doctrine)
SACRED SCRIPTURES
SUTTA PITAKA (Discourse)
- contains the conventional teaching delivered by
Siddhartha on different occasions.
- it is divided into five collections;
• Digha Nikaya (Collection of Long Discourses)
• Majjhima Nikaya (Collection of Middle-length Discourses)
• Samyutta Nikaya (Collection of Kindred Sayings)
• Anguttara Nikaya (Collection of Discourses arranged in order)
• Khuddaka Nikaya (Smaller Collection)
SACRED SCRIPTURES
VINAYA PITAKA (Discipline)
- contains the disciplinary code required of Buddhist
monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis). Various rules
and regulations must be followed.
- it consists of five books;
• Parajika Pali (Major Offenses)
• Pacittiya Pali (Minor Offenses)
• Mahavagga Pali (Greater Section)
• Cullavagga Pali (Smaller Section)
• Parivara Pali (Epitome of the Vinaya)
SACRED SCRIPTURES
ABHIDHAMMA PITAKA (Doctrine)
- is a work on moral psychology.
- it’s composed of seven works;
• Dhamma-Sanggani (Enumeration of Phenomena)
• Vibhanga (The Book of the Treatises)
• Katha Vatthu (Point of Controversy)
• Puggala Pannatti (Description of Individuals)
• Dhatu Katha (Discussion with reference to Elements)
• Yamaka (The Book of Pairs)
• Patthana (The Book of Relations)
BELIEF AND DOCTRINES
Siddhartha never intended to start a new religion, and
so his teachings are focused primarily on ethics and self-
understanding as people work for their salvation on their
own without needing assistance of any supreme being.
Here lies the difference between Buddhism and other
religions – it has no place for God or savior, as salvation
entirely lies within anyone’s control.
Siddhartha also did not claim to be a savior but a
guide and teacher as he pointed the way for others to
follow and gain spiritual bliss in doing so.
BELIEF AND DOCTRINES
Another unique feature of Buddhism is the belief that
soul or the Hindu atman does not exist as people live in a
state of nonsoulness or anatman/anatta.
Buddhism does not preach that humans have an
eternal and indestructible soul. Nothing is permanent in
this world; hence all things change and are impermanent.
BELIEF AND DOCTRINES
Human existence, or what we call soul, is a composite
of five mental or physical aggregates or khandas.
1. Physical form (Corporeality)
2. Feelings (Sensations)
3. Understanding (Perception)
4. Will (Mental Formation)
5. Conciousness
Hence, humans do not have permanent, unchanging,
real soul that dwells within them. In effect, no soul is
being reborn because there is no permanence in anything.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The teaching of Siddharta include discourses on the
basic tenets of Buddhism, such as the “Four Noble Truths”
and the “Noble Eightfold Path”.
Siddharta’s pursuit for enlightenment was due to the
dissatisfaction he continually experienced despite living
an opulent life in the palace.
Dukkha or the sufferings and unsatisfactoriness in
Pali’s term. Siddharta began to witness the various
manisfestations of inescapable suffering – from old age,
illness, and eventual death.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
Siddhartha analyzed the problem of dukkha that led
him to arrive to the basic law of causation or the “Four
Noble Truths.”
1. The First Noble Truth (Dukkha) – identifies the origin of
the problem.
2. The Second Noble Truth (Samodaya) – explains the cause
of suffering.
3. The Third Noble Truth (Nirodha) – asserts that there is a
cessation to suffering and bondage by eliminating of
craving and desire.
4. The Fourth Noble Truth (Magga) – directs an individual to
the path leading to the termination of craving and desire,
and to eventual cessation of pain.
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The Fourth Noble Truth (Magga) – directs an individual to the path leading
to the termination of craving and desire, and to eventual cessation of pain.
- this is the path toward moderation or the “Middle Way” aimed at
ending suffering, also known as “Noble Eightfold Path” which is an entirely
practical path.
1. Right View – understand the “Four Noble Truths”
2. Right Intention – free one’s self from ill-will, cruelty, and untruthfulness
3. Right Speech – abstain from untruthfulness, tale-bearing, harsh language, and
vain talk
4. Right Action – abstain from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct
5. Right Livelihood – earn a living in a way not harmful to any living thing
6. Right Effort – avoid evil thoughts and overcome them, arouse good thoughts
and maintain them
7. Right Mindfulness – pay vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling
and mind
8. Right Concentration – concentrate on single object so as to induce certain
special states of consciousness in deep meditation
LAW OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
Paticca-samuppada or the Law of Dependent
Origination is one of the most insightful teachings of
Siddhartha. With everything built upon a set of relations, it
follows that every effect has a definite cause and every
cause has a definite effect. In short, nothing comes into
being by a mere accident and actions do not happen in a
random way.
This principle can be read in four lines:
- When this is, that is
- This arising, that arises
- When this is not, that is not
- This ceasing, that ceases
LAW OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION
Both the “Four Noble Truths” and the concept of
karma can be explained by dependent origination.
In the “Four Noble Truths”, there is the arising and
cessation of the dukkha. Desires occurs because of
combination of existing conditions to support its arising.
Craving ends when factors supporting its presence
changes and ends. Meanwhile, the law of karma operates
as a causal process that explains the problem of suffering
and rebirth in samsara. Karma operates by itself and
nothing can alter this law, not even prayers and rituals.
IMPERMANENCE OF THINGS
Nothing in this world is fixed and permanent and
everything is subject to change and alteration.
Impermanence is an unavoidable fact of human existence.
Buddhism affirms five processes deemed
uncontrollable by any individual: old age, sickness, dying,
decay, and death. However, when one is released from
samsara, a being escapes all phenomena. That being then
reach the state nirvana wherein desire has been
extinguished from one’s self. When achieved, the person’s
mind will be at peace and will be called as arhat or one
who is “worthy of honor.”
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
Attainment of salvation for any Buddhist is by way of
one’s own action without the assistance of any supreme
or supernatural being. Followers are guided by the
teachings of Siddhartha as lay people offer gifts to
Siddhartha and the sangha during days of worship.
Most Buddhist aspire to visit many holy shrines as
possible during their lifetime for this is an admirable deed.
Their most important festival occurs every May on the
night of the full moon as Buddhist followers around the
world commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death
of Siddhartha about 2,500 years ago known as Vesakha or
Vesak; also known as “Buddha Purnina” or “Buddha Day”
WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
Most Buddhist celebrations are held to commemorate
important events in the life of Siddhartha. It includes;
- Buddhist New Year
- Magha Puja Day (Sangha Day)
- Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day)
- Uposatha (Observance Day)
- Pavarana Day
- Kathina Day
- Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day)
SUBDIVISIONS
Theravada is the more conservative subdivisions of
Buddhism. Thus, this is closer to the fundamental
teachings of Siddhartha.
The subdivisions of Theravada that existed during the
early history of Sri Lanka can be traced by the three (3)
monasteries of:
1. Mahavihara “Great Monastery” of Anuradhapura –
founded by King Devanampiya Tissa (307-267 BCE)
2. Abhayagiri Vihara – King Valagamba (89-77 BCE)
3. Jetavana – King Mahasena (277-304 BCE)
WAR AND VIOLENCE
In Buddhism, war is evil or akusala and some scholars
state that it has no rationalization in Siddhartha’s
teachings. However, there are instances wherein Buddhist
monks engaged themselves in open conflict.
When Buddhist defend their nations, home, and
family, this may not be necessarily wrong as the religion’s
morality is based upon principles, not rules.
Buddhists are taught not to yield to any form of evil
power, whether originating from humans or supernatural
beings. Following Siddhartha’s teachings, everyone is
encouraged to avoid hostilities and instead find ways to
resolve disagreements in a peaceful manner.
WOMEN IN BUDDHISM
Historically speaking, Siddhartha allowed women to
participate in the sangha although there were many
stipulations. Siddhartha’s outlook is very different when
one considers the status of women in ancient India as
being viewed as inferior to men.
In Buddhism, however, both sexes are seen as equally
relevant in society as they share equal responsibilities in
their family duties.
WOMEN IN BUDDHISM
Three (3) Bhikkunis Expert in Teaching Dharmma;
1. Dhammadina
2. Khema
3. Uppalavanna
THANK YOU!!!
