Theravada Buddhism "Way of the Elders"

Background  founded in India  predominant religion of Sri Lanka  A conservative branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self- purification to nirvana  the oldest record of the Buddha's teachings  sometimes called 'Southern Buddhism'.

Sangha (a community of Buddhist monks) were the first to follow the original Buddha The Pali scriptures are also called the Pali Canon or the Tripitaka (three baskets)‏ The absolute goal of Theravada is to find Nirvana which means enlightenment After nirvana you will never be reborn

Theravada  the term Theravada first arose in the disputes which arose about a hundred years after the Buddha's death.  a council of Buddhist monks was convened at the Mauryan capital of Patna during 3 BC to purify the doctrine..

Origins of Buddhist Scripture The most famous shrine in Buddhism is the Haein Temple. It is a library which contains over 80,000 wooden blocks that were originally used to copy Buddhist scripture. Five hundred years after the death of the Buddha, the Sangha decided to meet in order to define the teachings of Buddhism They ended up writing down what use to be oral tradition in the book they called the Tripitaka (“Tipitaka”) ‏

The Tripitaka Tripitaka means 3 baskets, representing the 3 different books that make up the Tripitaka. It was originally called the Tripitaka because the stories were literally divided into 3 different baskets. Each basket “pitaka” has a separate theme.

The Three Baskets Vinaya Pitaka, translated “Basket of Discipline – the Buddha’s rules of discipline for the monks and nuns Sutta Pitaka, translated “Basket of Discourse” – the teaching of Buddha that include the necessities to reach Nirvana – the doctrine and practices of the Buddha – the first songs of Buddhist nuns, which is the first documents writings of women’s sacred poetry Abhiddhamma Pitaka, translated “Basket of Metaphysics – last basket contains commentaries on the teachings of the Buddha

Rituals and Belief  All boys enter monastery- a right of passage  Wesa Spring  Candles and incense  Rockets set off  Trees are decorated

Rituals and Practices Theravada Buddhism has a great variety of rituals and practices to help in the journey to becoming enlightened and to bring good things upon oneself and upon others. One of the main practices is a meditation. Meditation is nearly essential to all forms of Buddhism.

Continued … Other rituals would be the use of Mudras (symbolic gestures). These gestures are used symbolically in images of Buddha. They are used in practice to induce specific ideas in the mind during time of Buddhist meditation or sometimes in ritual.

This video teaches us the ways of the Buddhist monks to the people to the celebration. You really find yourself embracing the culture as well as the people.

Steps to becoming an Arhat 1. Sotapanna ("stream-enterer"), which is a process where you convert by completely overcoming false beliefs. 2. Sakadagamin ("once-returner") which is the symbolic process of being reborn again, attained by diminishing lust, 3. Anagamin ("never-returner"), which means one who will be reincarnated in heaven. In this stage you become an Arhat. 4. Arhat ("worthy one"), one who has attained full enlightenment.during life (“saint”)‏