Difference between revisions of "Theravada Buddhism "The Teaching of the Elders" By Barbara O'Brien"
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By [[Barbara O'Brien]] | By [[Barbara O'Brien]] | ||
| − | [[Theravada]] is the dominant [[form]] of [[Buddhism]] in southeast {{Wiki|Asia}}, and for this [[reason]] it is sometimes called the "Southern School." It claims about 100 million adherents worldwide. Its [[doctrines]] are taken from the [[Tripitaka]] , and its basic teachings begin with the [[Four Noble Truths]]. | + | [[Theravada]] is the dominant [[form]] of [[Buddhism]] in [[southeast]] {{Wiki|Asia}}, and for this [[reason]] it is sometimes called the "[[Southern School]]." It claims about 100 million {{Wiki|adherents}} worldwide. Its [[doctrines]] are taken from the [[Tripitaka]] , and its basic teachings begin with the [[Four Noble Truths]]. |
| − | Above all, [[Theravada]] emphasizes [[insight]] gained through critical analysis and personal [[experience]] rather than blind [[faith]]. [[Theravada]] is distinctive from the other major school of [[Buddhism]], [[Mahayana]], in several ways. | + | Above all, [[Theravada]] emphasizes [[insight]] gained through critical analysis and personal [[experience]] rather than [[blind]] [[faith]]. [[Theravada]] is {{Wiki|distinctive}} from the other major school of [[Buddhism]], [[Mahayana]], in several ways. |
{{Wiki|Individual}} [[Enlightenment]] | {{Wiki|Individual}} [[Enlightenment]] | ||
| − | [[Theravada]] emphasizes {{Wiki|individual}} [[enlightenment]]; the ideal is to become an [[arhat]] (sometimes [[arahant]]), which means "[[worthy]] one" in [[Pali]]. An [[arhat]] is a [[person]] who has [[realized]] [[enlightenment]] and freed himself from the cycle of [[birth]] and [[death]]. | + | [[Theravada]] emphasizes {{Wiki|individual}} [[enlightenment]]; the {{Wiki|ideal}} is to become an [[arhat]] (sometimes [[arahant]]), which means "[[worthy]] one" in [[Pali]]. An [[arhat]] is a [[person]] who has [[realized]] [[enlightenment]] and freed himself from the cycle of [[birth]] and [[death]]. |
| − | Beneath the [[arhat]] ideal is an understanding of the [[doctrine]] of [[anatman]] -- the nature of the [[self]] -- that differs from that of the [[Mahayana]]. Very basically, [[Theravada]] considers [[anatman]] to mean that an individual's [[ego]] or [[personality]] is a [[fetter]] and [[delusion]]. Once freed of this [[delusion]], the {{Wiki|individual}} may enjoy the [[bliss]] of [[Nirvana]]. | + | Beneath the [[arhat]] {{Wiki|ideal}} is an [[understanding]] of the [[doctrine]] of [[anatman]] -- the [[nature]] of the [[self]] -- that differs from that of the [[Mahayana]]. Very basically, [[Theravada]] considers [[anatman]] to mean that an individual's [[ego]] or [[personality]] is a [[fetter]] and [[delusion]]. Once freed of this [[delusion]], the {{Wiki|individual}} may enjoy the [[bliss]] of [[Nirvana]]. |
| − | [[Mahayana]], on the other hand, considers all [[physical]] forms to be [[void]] of intrinsic [[self]] and {{Wiki|individual}} autonomy to be a [[delusion]]. Therefore, according to [[Mahayana]], "{{Wiki|individual}} [[enlightenment]]" is an oxymoron. The ideal in [[Mahayana]] is to enable all [[beings]] to be [[enlightened]] together. | + | [[Mahayana]], on the other hand, considers all [[physical]] [[forms]] to be [[void]] of intrinsic [[self]] and {{Wiki|individual}} autonomy to be a [[delusion]]. Therefore, according to [[Mahayana]], "{{Wiki|individual}} [[enlightenment]]" is an oxymoron. The {{Wiki|ideal}} in [[Mahayana]] is to enable all [[beings]] to be [[enlightened]] together. |
| − | Self-Power | + | [[Self-Power]] |
| − | [[Theravada]] teaches that [[enlightenment]] comes entirely through one's own efforts, without help from [[gods]] or other outside forces. Some schools of [[Mahayana]] emphasize this also, but others (for example, [[Pure Land]]) are more devotional. | + | [[Theravada]] teaches that [[enlightenment]] comes entirely through one's [[own]] efforts, without help from [[gods]] or other outside forces. Some schools of [[Mahayana]] {{Wiki|emphasize}} this also, but others (for example, [[Pure Land]]) are more devotional. |
| − | Literature | + | {{Wiki|Literature}} |
All schools of [[Buddhism]] [[recognize]] the [[Tripitaka]] as [[scripture]]. However, there are several [[sutras]] (sometimes collectively called the "Northern [[Canon]]" or "[[Mahayana]] [[Canon]]") that are [[essential]] to [[Mahayana]] but not considered legitimate by [[Theravada]]. | All schools of [[Buddhism]] [[recognize]] the [[Tripitaka]] as [[scripture]]. However, there are several [[sutras]] (sometimes collectively called the "Northern [[Canon]]" or "[[Mahayana]] [[Canon]]") that are [[essential]] to [[Mahayana]] but not considered legitimate by [[Theravada]]. | ||
[[Pali]] Versus [[Sanskrit]] | [[Pali]] Versus [[Sanskrit]] | ||
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[[Meditation]] | [[Meditation]] | ||
| − | The [[primary]] means of [[realizing]] [[enlightenment]] in the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]] is through [[Vipassana]] [[meditation]]. [[Vipassana]] emphasizes [[disciplined]] self-observation of [[body]] and [[thoughts]] and how they interconnect. Some schools of [[Mahayana]] also emphasize [[meditation]], but other schools of [[Mahayana]] do not [[meditate]]. | + | The [[primary]] means of [[realizing]] [[enlightenment]] in the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]] is through [[Vipassana]] [[meditation]]. [[Vipassana]] emphasizes [[disciplined]] self-observation of [[body]] and [[thoughts]] and how they interconnect. Some schools of [[Mahayana]] also {{Wiki|emphasize}} [[meditation]], but other schools of [[Mahayana]] do not [[meditate]]. |
[[Category:Theravada Buddhism]] | [[Category:Theravada Buddhism]] | ||
| − | + | {{R}} | |
[http://buddhism.about.com/od/theravadabuddhism/a/theravadabasic.htm buddhism.about.com] | [http://buddhism.about.com/od/theravadabuddhism/a/theravadabasic.htm buddhism.about.com] | ||
[[Category:Barbara O'Brien]] | [[Category:Barbara O'Brien]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:33, 24 February 2015
Theravada is the dominant form of Buddhism in southeast Asia, and for this reason it is sometimes called the "Southern School." It claims about 100 million adherents worldwide. Its doctrines are taken from the Tripitaka , and its basic teachings begin with the Four Noble Truths.
Above all, Theravada emphasizes insight gained through critical analysis and personal experience rather than blind faith. Theravada is distinctive from the other major school of Buddhism, Mahayana, in several ways. Individual Enlightenment
Theravada emphasizes individual enlightenment; the ideal is to become an arhat (sometimes arahant), which means "worthy one" in Pali. An arhat is a person who has realized enlightenment and freed himself from the cycle of birth and death.
Beneath the arhat ideal is an understanding of the doctrine of anatman -- the nature of the self -- that differs from that of the Mahayana. Very basically, Theravada considers anatman to mean that an individual's ego or personality is a fetter and delusion. Once freed of this delusion, the individual may enjoy the bliss of Nirvana.
Mahayana, on the other hand, considers all physical forms to be void of intrinsic self and individual autonomy to be a delusion. Therefore, according to Mahayana, "individual enlightenment" is an oxymoron. The ideal in Mahayana is to enable all beings to be enlightened together. Self-Power
Theravada teaches that enlightenment comes entirely through one's own efforts, without help from gods or other outside forces. Some schools of Mahayana emphasize this also, but others (for example, Pure Land) are more devotional. Literature All schools of Buddhism recognize the Tripitaka as scripture. However, there are several sutras (sometimes collectively called the "Northern Canon" or "Mahayana Canon") that are essential to Mahayana but not considered legitimate by Theravada. Pali Versus Sanskrit
Theravada Buddhism uses the Pali rather than the Sanskrit form of common terms; for example, sutta instead of sutra; dhamma instead of dharma. Meditation
The primary means of realizing enlightenment in the Theravada tradition is through Vipassana meditation. Vipassana emphasizes disciplined self-observation of body and thoughts and how they interconnect. Some schools of Mahayana also emphasize meditation, but other schools of Mahayana do not meditate.
