WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Theravada is believed to be the oldest form of Buddhism. The term itself comes into use later, but the Theravada tradition upholds the monastic path and adheres to the oldest surviving recorded sayings of the Buddha, collectively called the Pali canon.

Detailed explanation-2: -The three major branches of Buddhism in the modern world are Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and Vajrayana (sometimes described as Tibetan) Buddhism.

Detailed explanation-3: -Theravada Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called ‘Southern Buddhism’. The name means ‘the doctrine of the elders’-the elders being the senior Buddhist monks.

Detailed explanation-4: -Indian Theravāda (mostly historical, although revived in the modern period partly through the Vipassana movement) Sri Lankan Theravāda. Burmese Theravāda. Thai Theravāda. Cambodian Theravāda. Tantric Theravada, includes many esoteric elements not present in classic Theravāda. More items