Theravada Buddhism - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 12
About This Presentation
Title:

Theravada Buddhism

Description:

Theravada Buddhism. The Way of the Elders. Theravada. Passes Buddha's teachings ... Although images of Buddhism did not appear early on, symbols were used to ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:3915
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 13
Provided by: pcl
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Theravada Buddhism


1
Theravada Buddhism
  • The Way of the Elders

2
Theravada
  • Passes Buddhas teachings unchanged
  • they were first oral in nature
  • now they are written down
  • Although some changes have occurred they have
    probably kept many early traditions.
  • They tend to be conservative.

3
Theravada
  • Stresses reaching nirvana through detachment and
    desirelessness by way of meditation.
  • The life of the monk is the surest path.
  • The ideal of arhat or perfect being or worthy
    is a person who has reached nirvana.

4
The Life of a Theravada Monk
  • Beg daily for food and therefore live close to
    the lay people.
  • Wander throughout the town.
  • The monasteries are located in the center of town
    very often.
  • Donors believe that there are increasing their
    karma but giving the monks food and supporting
    the monasteries.

5
Reciprocal Relationship
  • In return for donations the monasteries set-up
    schools, hospitals, meditation centers, and care
    for stray animals.
  • They are honored guests at civic events and in
    homes.
  • They are also role models of gentleness and
    compassion and are often consulted for advice.

6
Teachings and Literature
  • The Pali Canon is the Theravada collection of the
    teachings of Buddha
  • As a whole the material is called Tripitaka
    which means three baskets.
  • The first collections of the sayings of Buddha in
    the form of sermons or dialogues.
  • This type of material is called sutra.

7
The Division of the Teachings
  • The Sutra is divided into five groups
  • Digha Nikaya (long teachings)
  • Majjhima Nikaya (middle length teachings)
  • Samyutta Nikaya (connected teachings)
  • Anguttara Nikaya (graduated teachings)
  • Khuddaka Nikaya (small book collections). It
    includes the Dhammapada.

8
The Second Collection
  • The second collections of writings are called
    vinaya.
  • It outlines the procedural rules for monastic
    life.
  • It includes rules about begging, eating,
    relations with monks and non-monks, and other
    disciplines.

9
The Third Collection
  • It is called he abhidharma which means the the
    works that go beyond elemental teachings.
  • It is systematized the doctrine presented in more
    or less randomly in the sutras.

10
Art and Architecture
  • Although images of Buddhism did not appear early
    on, symbols were used to represent Buddha and his
    teachings.
  • The eight-spoken wheel represents the Eight Fold
    Path and all of the basic Buddha teachings, the
    Dharma.
  • The umbrella symbolized Buddhas authority.
  • The stupa or large mound represents the remains
    of important Buddhist monks and sites.

11
Stupa Mandala
12
Item 2
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com