History of Theravada Buddhism: Very Old and Very New

Theravāda Buddhism can be seen both as very old and very new. We'll go over the ways Theravāda has roots in the earliest forms of Buddhism, as well as the way it may be a very recent form of religious identity. This is a huge topic and so the video should only be seen as the barest introduction!

Some source material that may be of interest for further reference:

Rupert Gethin, “Was Buddhaghosa a Theravādin?” In How Theravāda is Theravāda? Peter Skilling et al. (eds.) (Silkworm, 2012).

Todd LeRoy Perreira, “Whence Theravāda? The Modern Genealogy of an Ancient Term.” In How Theravāda is Theravāda? Peter Skilling et al. (eds.) (Silkworm, 2012).

Thanks to Patrons:
Matthew Smith
Kathy Voldstad

00:00 Intro
01:31 The History
04:49 Theravāda Buddhism
08:54 The Pāli Canon
11:52 Commentarial Tradition

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Please visit the Secular Buddhist Association webpage!

Disclaimer: any Amazon links are affiliate links where I will earn a very small commission on purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos. Thank you!

[DougsDharma]

There is one small error I noted in the video. The first appearance of the word “theravāda” actually occurs in the Ariyapariyesana Sutta (MN 26), but it is in an entirely different context than that found in later usage. It is in the context of the (non-Buddhist) belief systems of Gotama’s teachers Alāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta, before Gotama reached awakening. FYI! 🙂

[osanda]

I am from Sri Lanka and I learn more about a philosophy of my country from a very wise foreign man thousand miles away. Some monks here need to follow you as a resource person. I am really taken back by your knowledge of Oriental teachings.

[stealthworx]

Exceptional video. I literally cant criticize it much at all. Im from SL born into the heart of Theravada Buddhism and I highly recommend this mans content.

[kjetilamanakinorgard]

As a Theravadin my self, i learned a lot form this video. Thank you :)

[kingmir]

I love the Pali chants from the Theravada monks, it brings me so much peace 😌🙏🏽

[paulh]

I've practiced and studied Buddhism for over 30 years, first Mahayana, and later Theravada. I was fortunate enough to purchase most of the Tipitaka (in English) while living at a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, for a few months in 2000. This video is exceptionally well done, and added to my understanding. I lived in Thailand for almost a year in 2010, and the contrast between the two countries is substantial.Thailand very much mixes Buddhism, Hinduism and local animism, in my opinion. Thank you very much for your clear and concise explanation. As you pointed out, strict adherence to the monastic rules is not universal. In Bangkok, I saw men dressed in monk robes, smoking cigarettes. I was led to believe they were rural monks. Obesity also appears to be a somewhat common health issue in both countries. The Buddha did not emphasize exercise, I suppose because it stimulates attachment to the body.

[charleswey]

The two missionaries who were sent to Sri Lanka were none other than Emperor Ashoka's eldest son Mahinda and eldest daughter Sanghamitta. Actually, it was group of monks not just two; the group of monks also included three of Mahinda's nephews. Mahinda was the heir to the throne of Ashoka's empire but he rejected the throne and embraced Buddhism.

[practical_jen]

I'm so excited to have come across your channel and appreciate this quick overview of Theravada Buddhism. I'm second generation Cambodian American and have been taken to the temple quite often as a little girl, but never really understood the traditions and rituals (for many reasons), and quite frankly, never had an interest until recently. Now I practice more often and go to the local temple more frequently. Now that I understand a little bit about the traditions, I find the practice beautiful and brings me so much joy and happiness in my life and grateful to have re-connected with it . Look forward to binging on the rest of your videos!

[haikus_]

Hey, i loved the video, it’s really nice to see foreigners outside of Asia take an interest in Buddhism.

But anyway, for a little backstory, as a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist, what we learnt was that there were events in ancient times called “Dharma Sangaayana”

Sangaayana is a Sinhalese term and it literally meant just sitting down and discussing Buddhism and it’s values and how to progress. So as far as we know, there’s been 4 main discussions and 3 of them were in India while the 4th was here in Sri Lanka.

Each of them has its own, very interesting backstories and I encourage you all to check them out [for example, the very first one was held roughly 3 months after the Buddha’s passing, due to some crap that was spewed by a “monk” called Subadra right after the Buddha passed]

But the one that shows the split between Theravada and Mahayana groups was the 2nd one. A group of monks in India went around saying that a list of 10 unsuitable acts that was accepted in Buddhism at that time is actually false and those acts should be accepted.

This caused quite a confusion and a sangaayana [discussion] was held by a large number of senior monks to discuss this. The discussion lasted some amount of months and ultimately it was decided that those 10 acts were actually unacceptable and the monks who insisted, and kept on insisting, that they were acceptable were expelled.

These monks then journeyed to East Asia and spread the word of their “changed, new and improved” Buddhism, and that is what is now known as Mahayana Buddhism.

[aarontataryn]

Your explanations are very clear and concise. Your narration is very well put together and easy to understand. Well done putting into laymen's terms a topic that can often get very esoteric. Wishing you happiness.

[CashCatMoney]

Thank you so much for this! After attending my mother's 100 day memorial service, some regulars of temple recommended me to do more research here! Thanks for being an avenue for me to get back to my roots.

[jerclarkedotorg]

Love it! I remember requesting this months ago and the result is great :) You handled the complexity well 👍

[fingerprint]

Theravadan here, very well made thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏼

[rafafernandez]

Thank you so much Doug. I am getting into buddhism and you have been of great help for me.

[SaveriusTianhui]

You make high quality educational videos for the Dhamma, much merit to you !!!

[mossbanksy]

Thank you Doug. I've only recently discovered your videos. They're very interesting, clear, and informative.

[marylee]

Thanks for the history and, BTW, I appreciate it when you "geek out" -- that's the really interesting stuff!

[paulthomas]

You are a true educator. Just subscribed.

[nsbdnow]

Not even remotely geeking out too much! I love this kind of stuff... so interesting! Thanks!

[DeFyYing]

Thank you so much for this video! I've gone through so many denominations of Christianity but I'd like to learn more about the teachings of the Buddha. He was a great and wise man!