Theravada

A forum for beginners and members of other Buddhist traditions to ask questions about Theravāda (The Way of the Elders). Responses require moderator approval before they are visible in order to double-check alignment to Theravāda orthodoxy.
Post Reply
Sutiro
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:48 am

Theravada

Post by Sutiro »

I think 'Theravada' actually means "word of the Elders' which can be stretched to mean 'doctrine of the elders'. It pays tribute to those bhikkhus who have been ordained the longest regardless of their actual age, whose words are most learned and wise:)
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Theravada

Post by tiltbillings »

Sutiro wrote:I think 'Theravada' actually means "word of the Elders' which can be stretched to mean 'doctrine of the elders'. It pays tribute to those bhikkhus who have been ordained the longest regardless of their actual age, whose words are most learned and wise:)
Theravāda. Vada, speaking, and vāda are to different words derived from the same roots, vac/vad. The "stretching," making vāda -- doctrine --, was done well before thera -- elder -- was put together with vāda.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Sutiro
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:48 am

Re: Theravada

Post by Sutiro »

I guess, then, that you are agreeing with me???
User avatar
tiltbillings
Posts: 23046
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am

Re: Theravada

Post by tiltbillings »

Sutiro wrote:I guess, then, that you are agreeing with me???
Clarifying the terminology. Vāda in Theravāda means doctrine or school.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
User avatar
gavesako
Posts: 1794
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:16 pm

Re: Theravada

Post by gavesako »

This might be useful to read:

http://www.cittaviveka.org/index.php/te ... -theravada" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:reading:
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
User avatar
Bonsai Doug
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Finger Lakes area of NY

Re: Theravada

Post by Bonsai Doug »

gavesako wrote:This might be useful to read:

http://www.cittaviveka.org/index.php/te ... -theravada" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A very nicely designed and informative site. Kudos to the webmaster and any-&-all involved!
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
Post Reply