Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Theravda.html" title="Facts and information about Theravāda">Theravāda</a>

Give this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon

Theravāda

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | Copyright

Theravāda (Pāli, ‘teaching of the elders (of the order)’; Chin., Shang-tso-pu; Jap., Jōzabu; Korean, Sangjwabu). An early school of Buddhism, derived from Vibhajjavādins and associated with Sthaviras. As the major survivor of this line, the term became synonymous with Buddhism derived from, and defensive of, the Pāli canon—in contrast to Mahāyāna. Theravāda is the form of Buddhism in Śri Lankā and SE Asia. Mahāyāna (‘Large Vehicle’) calls Theravāda ‘Hīnayāna’, ‘Small Vehicle’, and this term, despite its contemptuous associations, still persists. Theravāda, though strictly inaccurate, is preferable, even though Theravāda was simply one among many early Buddhist schools.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Theravāda." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Theravāda." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2010). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Theravda.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Theravāda." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Theravda.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	Therav&#x101;da Book article from: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions Therav&#x101;da (P&#x101;li, ‘teaching...Mah&#x101;y&#x101;na . Therav&#x101;da is the form of Buddhism in Ś...Large Vehicle’) calls Therav&#x101;da ‘ Hīnay...
	map showing Therav&#x101;da Buddhism in Asia Book article from: A Dictionary of Buddhism map showing Therav&#x101;da Buddhism in Asia
	Vibhajjav&#x101;da Book article from: A Dictionary of Buddhism ...is sometimes referred to in P&#x101;li sources as a ‘Distinctionist’ (vibhajjav&#x101;dī), the appellation...alternative designation for the Therav&#x101;da school. The ‘distinction...
	Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of World Biography ...controversial interpreter of Therav&#x101;da Buddhism in the modern period...paintings not only from the Therav&#x101;da Buddhist tradition of Thailand...comprehensive interpretations of Therav&#x101;da Buddhism of the modern period...
	Mah&#x101;vih&#x101;ra Book article from: A Dictionary of Buddhism ...ancestral branch for present-day Therav&#x101;da Buddhism in Sri Lanka . It was...Theriya Nik&#x101;ya (or Therav&#x101;da ) in contrast to the monks of...Theriya Nik&#x101;ya or Therav&#x101;da while seeking to deny it to...