Theravada (Pali language for The Teaching of The Elders) is the main
form of Buddhism practiced in Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Sri
Lanka. The earliest known teachings of the Buddha are in Pali and are
from the Theravadin school.
Theravadins see the Buddha as a human being who entered ‘parinibbana’. They use meditation to develop higher states of consciousness (Jhanas)
and to develop mindfulness (awareness of one’s actions in the present
moment). The development of beneficial actions and the discarding of
harmful actions by mind, speech and body is central to Theravada
Buddhism and enables the practitioner to purify himself. The
development of Morality (Sila) Concentration (Samadhi)
and Wisdom (Pannya) lie at the heart of Theravada Buddhism
which sees all external phenomena as impermanent (Anicca),
suffering (Dukkha) and not under our control (Anatta).
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