Theravada facts for kids

Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism. It is a way of life that follows the teachings of the Buddha.

History of Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism began in Nepal. It is known for staying very close to the original teachings of the Buddha. For many hundreds of years, it has been the main religion in Sri Lanka, where about 70% of people follow it.

It is also widely practiced in most of Southeast Asia, including countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. Smaller groups of people also practice Theravada in parts of southwest China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Theravada Today

In recent times, this ancient form of Buddhism has become more popular in places like Singapore and the Western world. Today, there are over 100 million Theravada Buddhists around the globe. They are also called Theravadins.

In recent years, Theravada has started to grow in popularity in Western countries. It is also seeing a new interest in Nepal, where it first began. An international Meditation Center for Buddhists operates in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Images for kids

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  The Thuparamaya Stupa, the earliest Dagoba in Sri Lanka, built during the time of King Devanampiya Tissa (247–207 BCE).

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  Sanghamitta and the Bodhi Tree

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  Buddhaghosa (around the 5th century), an important scholar of Theravada Buddhism, showing copies of the Visuddhimagga.

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  The restored Abhayagiri Dagoba (stupa) in Anuradhapura.

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  A gilded bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Tara, from Sri Lanka, 8th century CE.

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  Gal Vihara ('The Stone Shrine') in Polonnaruwa has three Buddha statues carved from one large rock.

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  Bawbawgyi Pagoda at Sri Ksetra, an early example for pagodas in the Pagan era.

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  Ruins of Bagan, an ancient capital of Myanmar. There are more than 2,000 temples there.

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  Stairway to Wat Phnom guarded by Nagas, the oldest Buddhist building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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  Henry Olcott and Buddhists (Colombo, 1883).

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  The Temple of the Tooth was made new during the Buddhist revival.

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  The Sixth Buddhist council meeting at the Great Cave.

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  From 1824 to 1851, Prince Mongkut lived as a monk.

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  A man meditates in Myanmar.

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  One of the 729 large marble tablets of the Pali Canon (the world's largest book) at the Kuthodaw Pagoda in Mandalay, Myanmar.

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  Painting of Buddha's first sermon from Wat Chedi Liem in Thailand.

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  Giving (Dana) is an important Buddhist value. Giving to monks is seen as a way to gain good karma.

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  Ajahn Mun, a key person in starting the Thai Forest Tradition.

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  Mahasi Sayadaw.

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  Walking around a temple or a stupa with lighted candles is a common practice.

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  A young Burmese monk.

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  Thai monks on a pilgrimage in their orange robes.

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  A ceremony where people walk with lighted candles around a temple on Vesakha Puja in Uttaradit, Thailand.

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  People becoming Buddhist monks in Thailand.

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  A Buddhist Monk chants evening prayers inside a monastery near Kantharalak, Thailand.

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  Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

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  Thai monks blessing the King of Thailand in Wat Nong Wong, Amphoe Sawankhalok, Sukhothai, Thailand.

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  Ashoka and Moggaliputta-Tissa at the Third Council, at the Nava Jetavana, Shravasti.

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  A cave kuti (hut) in the Sri Lankan forest monastery Na Uyana Aranya.

See also

In Spanish: Theravada para niños