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When you follow the ego, you become a disciple of the ego. You follow the ego day and night and listen to what the ego says all the time. Even if you have received all the sutra and tantra teachings and have heard them many times, when you follow the ego nothing happens in your mind.
–Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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Theravāda Buddhism is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism, often referred to as the "Teaching of the Elders." It is the dominant form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Theravāda emphasizes the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha, preserved in the Pāli Canon, and focuses on individual enlightenment (nirvana) through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom.
Key Aspects of Theravāda Buddhism:
Scripture (Pāli Canon) – The Tipitaka (Three Baskets) consists of the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analyses).
The Four Noble Truths – Central teachings that outline the nature of suffering (dukkha), its cause (craving), its cessation (nirvana), and the Eightfold Path to liberation.
The Eightfold Path – A practical guide for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, divided into Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Focus on Monasticism – The Theravāda tradition places strong emphasis on the monastic community (Sangha) as the ideal way to attain enlightenment. Lay followers support monks through almsgiving and practicing the Five Precepts (ethical guidelines).
Meditation Practices – Theravāda Buddhism emphasizes Vipassanā (insight meditation) and Samatha (calm-abiding meditation) to develop mindfulness and wisdom.
Arhat Ideal – The ultimate goal in Theravāda is to become an Arhat, someone who has attained enlightenment and is free from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara).
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