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Theravada Buddhism
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Theravada Buddhism is the oldest surviving Buddhist school of thought. This is believed to be true because it draws its spiritual inspiration from Pali, which is composed of the earliest surviving record of the Buddha’s teachings. Pali is believed to be the spoken language used in India during the time of Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha. It is believed that the greater ones understanding of Pali, the deeper the appreciation of the Buddha’s teachings. Theravada Buddhism is practiced predominantly in Sri Lanka, where it was once the primary religion, but followers ... reside in Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand. Despite the fact that most of Theravada Buddhism’s roots are in Southeast Asia, it is recently becoming increasingly popular in the West.
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In Theravada Buddhism, a Sayadaw is a senior monk [generally the chief monk] of a monastery. Devotees refer to a Sayadaw in various forms. For example, - Mingun Sayadaw - Tipitaka Mingun Sayadaw - U Vicittasarabhivamsa - Tipitaka Mingun Sayadaw Venerable U Vicittasarabhivamsa refer to a renowned Myanmar monk who was listed in the "Guiness Book of World Records" in the late 1950s for his memory feat of reciting the Tipitaka (Three Baskets: Viniya, Sutta, Abhidhamma) at the Sixth Buddhist Council held at the World Peace Pagoda (KabaAye) Cave in Rangoon, Burma. For more details, see the article in http://www.tbsa.org
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In this book, Richard Gombrich, a leading western authority on Buddhism, shows how Theravada Buddhism has affected and been afected by its social surroundings. He explains what the Buddha owed to his predecessors and what he was arguing against. Buddhism began as a largely urban religion, appealing to a new middle class, but in Sri Lanka it became the culture of the agricultural society. In the nineteenth century, British colonial rule, and especially contact with Protestant missions, initaited fundamental change. Now, as Gombrich shows, in independent Sri Lanka the rapid urbanization of an exploding population threatens to schange the religion beyond recognition.
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Revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal ... had profound effect in cultural and religious way of life of Nepalese. Daily chanting or Buddhapuja, short term ordination, observing Sila (Moral code), caste system, celebration of Vesak day, celibate life were introduced. In the month of Bhadra or Gunla days (August/September) Buddhist hymns are chanted and public discourses are given.
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Theravada Buddhism goes by many names. The Buddha himself called the religion he founded Dhamma-vinaya, "the doctrine and discipline," in reference to the two fundamental aspects of the system of ethical and spiritual training he taught. Owing to its historical dominance in southern Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma), Theravada is ... identified as "Southern Buddhism," in contrast to "Northern Buddhism," which migrated northwards from India into China, Tibet, Japan, and Korea. Theravada is often equated with "Hinayana" (the "Lesser Vehicle"), in contrast to "Mahayana" (the "Greater Vehicle"), which is usually a synonym for Zen, Ch'an, and other expressions of Northern Buddhism. The use of "Hinayana" as a pejorative has its origins in the early schisms within the monastic community that ultimately led to the emergence of what would later become Mahayana. Today scholars of many persuasions use the term "Hinayana" without pejorative intent, although many prefer the more neutral "Early Buddhism".
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As Bhikshuni Sangha could not continue as per the vinaya of Theravada Buddhism, it disappeared indefinitely. But, after the convening of fifth Sanghayana (council), a new step of allowing the upasakas and upasikas to live a life of sacrifice and detachment was taken. The post of Anagarika was created for Bhikshunis under this rule. Women shared their heads to become Bhikshunis. This practice was called Tilasen in Burma, Shilavati Mata in Sri Lanka, and Mechi in Thailand. A significant breakthrough in this regard was made some sixty years ago by senior monk Prajnananda Mahasthavira who took Bhikshunis of the Kathmandu Valley to Kushinagara in India and were ordained Anagarikas.
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