The Theravada school upholds the Pali Canon or Tipitaka as the most authoritative collection of texts on the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Theravda is one of the first Buddhist schools to commit its Tipiaka to writing. Theravada-buddhalaisuus on vanhin nykypiviin asti selvinnyt varhaisbuddhalainen koulukunta. During this period of division, the Kingdom of Kandy (14691815) remained the main state patron of Theravada. [15], Over time, two other sects split off from the Mahvihra tradition, the Abhayagiri and Jetavana. [76] Modern scholarship in contrast, has generally held that the Abhidhamma texts date from the 3rd century BCE onwards. [120] Dhammapala's Cariypiaka is a Theravda text which focuses on the path of the Buddhas, while the Nidnakath and the Buddhavasa are also Theravda texts which discuss the Buddha path.[120]. [18] Richard Gombrich remarks that this is "the earliest record we have of Buddhist scriptures being committed to writing anywhere". [10], From the 5th century to the eleventh century, the island of Sri Lanka saw continuous warfare between Sinhala kings and south Indian invaders (mainly the Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyas). [48] In contrast, communist rule in Laos was less destructive since the Pathet Lao sought to make use of the sangha for political ends by imposing direct state control. In fact, today about half of the primary schools in Thailand are located in monasteries. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Theravda world saw a modernist revival and reinvention of meditation practice, as exemplified by the Burmese Vipassana movement. . A few years after the arrival of Mahinda, the bhikkhu Saghamitt, who is also believed to have been the daughter of Ashoka, came to Sri Lanka. [7] It is the official religion of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Cambodia, and the dominant religion in Laos and Thailand and is practiced by minorities in India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, North Korea and Vietnam. Mahyna Stras and Opening of the Bodhisattva Path. (2010). Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) Nik ya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. Upto 14th at the best online prices at eBay! Vajirana Mahathera (author), Allan R. Bomhard (editor) (20100. [3] In contrast to Mahyna and Vajrayna, Theravda tends to be conservative in matters of doctrine (pariyatti) and monastic discipline (vinaya). [89] From the 1950s onwards, the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition developed into an influential modern tradition, focused on strict monastic discipline, meditation and forest living. [209] On 28 February 2003, Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, formerly known as Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, became the first Thai woman to receive bhikkhuni ordination as a Theravda nun. [190] It is common to offer candles, incense, flowers and other objects to these shrine. [54] Anawrahta also patronized the construction of the Shwezigon Pagoda and the Shwesandaw Pagoda. As Bhikkhu Bodhi notes, "The Suttas and commentaries do record a few cases of lay disciples attaining the final goal of Nirvana. He would also become the president of the All-Nepal Bhikshu Mahasangha. [24] The Mahvihra was the first tradition to be established, while Abhayagiri and Jetavana developed out of it. [30][31][32] During the 15th and 16th centuries, Theravda also became established as the state religion in Cambodia and Laos. [2] According to Buddhist scholar A. K. Warder, the early Theravda school spread "from Avanti into Maharashtra and Andhra and down to the Chola country." Encyclopdia Britannica. In Sri Lanka, temporary ordination is not practised, and a monk leaving the order is frowned upon but not condemned. [195], Theravda sources dating back to medieval Sri Lanka (2nd century BCE to 10th century CE) such as the Mahavamsa show that monastic roles in the tradition were often seen as being in a polarity between urban monks (Sinhala: khaamawaasii, Pli: gmavas) on one end and rural forest monks (Sinhala: aranyawaasii, Pali: araavasi, nagaravasi, also known as Tapassin) on the other. [103][88] Mongkut's heir, Chulalongkorn (18681910) continued the centralizing reforms by passing the Sangha Law of 1902, which organized the sangha into a hierarchical bureaucracy headed by a Sangha Council of Elders (Pali: Mahthera Samgama). [58], The oldest manuscripts of the Tipiaka from Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia date to the 15th Century, and they are incomplete. Under French Rule, French indologists of the cole franaise d'Extrme-Orient became involved in the reform of Buddhism, setting up institutions for the training of Cambodian and Lao monks, such as the Ecole de Pali which was founded in Phnom Penh in 1914. Tambiah, Stanley Jeyaraja, The Buddhist Saints of the Forest and the Cult of Amulets (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology), 1984, p. 55. [123] The Ananda Kuti, which became the center of the movement, was founded in 1947, with Bhiksu Amritananda as abbot. [46] The oldest surviving Buddhist texts in the Pli language are 5th to 6th century gold plates found at Sri Ksetra. in India. Ajahn Sumedho, a disciple of Ajahn Chah, founded the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire, which has a retreat center specifically for lay retreats. [66][67], The main parts of the Sutta Pitaka and some portions of the Vinaya show considerable overlap in content with the Agamas, the parallel collections used by non-Theravda schools in India which are preserved in Chinese and partially in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Tibetan, as well as the various non-Theravda Vinayas. [1][2][web 1], The Pli Canon is the most complete Buddhist canon surviving in a classical Indian language, Pli, which serves as the school's sacred language[2] and lingua franca. (starting with III, 104, "enumeration"). [167][166] When the three characteristics have been comprehended, reflection subdues and the process of noticing accelerates, noting phenomena in general without necessarily naming them. King Mongkut (r. 18511868) and his successor Chulalongkorn (18681910) were especially involved in centralizing sangha reforms. pp. [194] According to Donald K Swearer, another development in modern Theravda is "the formation of lay Buddhist associations that have partially assumed the social service responsibilities formerly associated with the monastery". According to Ian Harris, by the time Jayavarmadiparamesvara took the throne in 1327, Theravda was well established in the kingdom, as is attested by statuary which survives from this era.[65]. [50] Those monks who have been able to achieve a high level of attainment will be able to guide the junior monks and lay Buddhists toward the four degrees of spiritual attainment. These practices were often part of Buddhist temples. [web 20], Main doctrinal differences with other Buddhist traditions, Distinction between lay and monastic life, John Bullit: "In the last century, however, the West has begun to take notice of Theravda's unique spiritual legacy and teachings of Awakening. [97], Theravda traditionally promotes itself as the Vibhajjavda "teaching of analysis" and as the heirs to the Buddha's analytical method. [203] In Thailand, forest monks are known as phra thudong (ascetic wandering monks) or phra thudong kammathan (wandering ascetic meditator).[204]. [194] Modern lay teachers such as U Ba Khin (who was also the Accountant General of the Union of Burma) promoted meditation as part of a laypersons daily routine. Those of a passionate disposition (or those who enter the path by faith) attain Arahatship through vipassan preceded by samatha. THERAVADA BUDDHISM. Studies in Abhidharma Literature and the Origins of Buddhist Philosophical Systems. The orthodox standpoints of Theravda in comparison to other Buddhist schools are presented in the Kathvatthu ("Points of Controversy"), as well as in other works by later commentators like Buddhaghosa. In most Theravda countries, it is a common practice for young men to ordain as monks for a fixed period of time. The Mahvihra tradition would not regain its dominant position until the Polonnaruwa period in 1055. "The Historical Value of the Pli Discourses". [11] According to Theravda sources, another one of the Ashokan missions was also sent to Suvaabhmi ("The Golden Land"), which may refer to Southeast Asia. [179][180] These techniques were globally popularized by the Vipassana movement in the second half of the 20th century. [web 4] At the same time, the unorthodox Buddhist tradition known as weikza-lam ("Path of esoteric knowledge", or "Path of the wizards") was also developing.[95]. The prtimoka of the nun's order in East Asian Buddhism is the Dharmaguptaka, which is different from the prtimoka of the current Theravda school; the specific ordination of the early Sangha in Sri Lanka not known, although the Dharmaguptaka sect originated with the Sthvirya as well. Indeed, according to Buddhaghosa, there are three main soteriological paths: the path of the Buddhas (buddhayna); the way of the individual Buddhas (paccekabuddhayna); and the way of the disciples (svakayna). [45], Epigraphical evidence has established that Theravda became a dominant religion in the Pyu Kingdom of Sriksetra and the Mon kingdom of Dvaravati, from about the 5th century CE onwards. Study of the Pli scriptures and the practice of meditation are less common among the lay community in the past, though in the 20th century these areas have become more popular to the lay community, especially in Thailand. Ven. [155] In the Pli Nikayas, Jhnas are described as preceding the awakening insight of the Buddha, which turned him into an awakened being. The introduction of Theravda to other Southeast Asian nations like Singapore, The return of Western Theravdin monks trained in the Thai Forest Tradition to western countries and the subsequent founding of monasteries led by western monastics, such as. According to Theravda sources, there was a tradition of Indian commentaries on the scriptures which existed during the time of Mahinda. A skepticism towards or outright rejection of traditional Buddhist folk practices (like the veneration of spirits or ghosts) which are often seen as unscientific. "[55], The language of the Tipiaka, Pli, is a middle-Indic language which is the main religious and scholarly language in Theravda. In a typical daily routine at the monastery during the 3-month vassa period, the monk will wake up before dawn and will begin the day with group chanting and meditation. Theravada Buddhism ("doctrine of the elders") is the oldest and most orthodox of Buddhism's three major sects. [117], Regarding the question of how a sentient being becomes a Buddha, the Theravda school also includes a presentation of this path. Of these, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is believed to be a later addition to the collection, its composition dating from around the 3rd century BCE onwards. [5] According to Theravda sources, the elder monk Moggaliputta-Tissa chaired the Third council and compiled the Kathavatthu ("Points of Controversy"), an important work on Theravada doctrine which focuses on refuting various views of other sects. Theravada Buddhism originated in India and was one of the first types of Buddhism created after the death of the Buddha. [33][34], In the 19th and 20th centuries, Theravda Buddhists came into direct contact with western ideologies, religions and modern science. [131] Narada Mahathera was also an influential figure in the Indonesian Buddhist revival. [162][163] In the "New Burmese Method" the practitioner pays attention to any arising mental or physical phenomenon, engaging in vitaka, noting or naming physical and mental phenomena ("breathing, breathing"), without engaging the phenomenon with conceptual thinking. The continuing influence of the caste system in Sri Lanka plays a role in the taboo against temporary or permanent ordination as a bhikkhu in some orders. (2001). :: ::<br><br>PavelBure guide by article:<br>by John Bullitt. One of these is keeping a Buddhist shrine with a picture or statue of the Buddha for devotional practice in one's home, mirroring the larger shrines at temples. Theravada Buddhism "Way of the Elders" Background founded in India predominant religion of Sri Lanka A conservative branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self-purification to nirvana the oldest record of the Buddha's teachings sometimes called 'Southern Buddhism'. Traditionally, Theravda Buddhism has observed a distinction between the practices suitable for a lay person and the practices undertaken by ordained monks (in ancient times, there was a separate body of practices for nuns). Regarding post Visuddhimagga Theravda meditation, according to Kate Crosby, In the period between the Visuddhimagga and the present, there have been numerous meditation texts, both manuals and descriptive treatises. Early texts have the Buddha's family name as Gautama. After independence, Myanmar held the Sixth Buddhist council (Vesak 1954 to Vesak 1956), which was attended by monks from eight Theravda nations. However, this did not bring an end to sectarian competition completely. [120], 20th century Nepal also saw a modern Theravda movement which was mostly led by Newars. In Burma, an influential modernist figure was king Mindon Min (18081878), known for his patronage of the Fifth Buddhist council (1871) and the Tripiaka tablets at Kuthodaw Pagoda (still the world's largest book) with the intention of preserving the Buddha Dhamma. the Nikayas and parts of the Vinaya) are generally believed to be some of the oldest and most authoritative sources on the doctrines of pre-sectarian Buddhism by modern scholars. In the grand council of Buddhist monks and scholars after his death,. Theravda Buddhism is a Buddhist school that came to prominence during the reign of king Asoka the Great around 250 BC, after the purification of the Sangha (order of monks) which was by that time infested with corrupt monks. Ronkin, Noa, Early Buddhist Metaphysics: The Making of a Philosophical Tradition (Routledge curzon Critical Studies in Buddhism) 2011, p. 5. Gethin, Rupert, The Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, p. 234. [196] The ascetic focused monks were known by the names Pamsukulikas (rag robe wearers) and Araikas (forest dwellers). [102][86] Mongkut led a reform movement and founded a new monastic order called the Dhammayuttika Nikaya. [62], The Khmer Empire (8021431) centered in Cambodia was initially dominated by Brahmanical Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism. Right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. View our Buddha Statues from all around the world. Ledi Sayadaw (18461923) was one of the key figures in this movement. 1 mo. The impetus for this trend began in Myanmar and was supported by prime minister U Nu who himself established the International Meditation Center (IMC) in Yangon. [212] It was performed in Perth, Australia, on 22 October 2009 at Bodhinyana Monastery. 51.99. [75], The Theravda school has traditionally held the doctrinal position that the canonical Abhidhamma Pitaka was actually taught by the Buddha himself. The Four Planes of Existence in Theravada Buddhism. Collett Cox. The 20th-century Nepalese Theravda movement which introduced Theravda Buddhism to Nepal and was led by prominent figures such as Dharmaditya Dharmacharya, Mahapragya, Pragyananda and Dhammalok Mahasthavir. Part of this legacy is the fact that most Pali manuscripts in Thailand before the modern era used the Khmer script. 223253. [15] However, this was followed by the conquest of Anuradhapura by the Chola empire (between 993 and 1077). "[37] All Buddhist institutions had been severely damaged by the war with the Cholas, and the three main traditions had fragmented into eight sects. Rejoicing in merit of good deeds done by others, this is common in communal activities. [60] However, fragments of the Tipiaka have been found in inscriptions from Southeast Asia, the earliest of which have been dated to the 3rd or 4th century. nibbana) is attained in four stages of awakening (bodhi):[web 2][web 3], In Theravda Buddhism, a Buddha is a sentient being who has discovered the path out of samsara by themselves, has reached Nibbana and then makes the path available to others by teaching (known as "turning the wheel of the Dhamma"). Buddhist monks and lay organizations also became involved in the struggle for Burmese independence. This led to many dessertions. [199] Forest monks tend to be the minority among Theravda sanghas and also tend to focus on asceticism (dhutanga) and meditative praxis. The Buddha Dharma isn't earth-centric, and the humility that arises from that feels wholesome. He taught for forty-five years and died at the age of eighty. The Visuddhimagga, a Sinhala Theravda doctrinal summa written in the fifth century by Buddhaghosa, became the orthodox account of the Theravda path to liberation in Sri Lanka after the 12th century and this influence spread to other Theravda nations. 37.34. Generosity (Dna); This typically involves providing monks with "the four requisites"; food, clothing, shelter, and medicine; however, giving to charity and the needy is also considered dna. Tse-Fu Kuan. Laity who stay at the monastery will have to abide by the traditional eight Buddhist precepts. Our assessments, publications and research spread knowledge, spark enquiry and aid understanding around the world. [214], The first bhikkhuni ordination in Germany, the ordination of German woman Samaneri Dhira, occurred on 21 June 2015 at Anenja Vihara. The perceived decline of Buddhism among the Burmese people led to a revival movement which took many forms including the foundation of lay Buddhist organizations and the founding of new Buddhist schools. Buddhism has assumed many different forms, but in each case, there has been an attempt to draw from the life experiences of the Buddha, his teachings, and the "spirit" or "essence" of his teachings (called dhamma or dharma) as models for the religious . Rebirth and the in-between state in early Buddhism. This means that the Pli Tipiaka has been transmitted with a high degree of accuracy for well over 1,500 years. It is also possible for a lay disciple to become enlightened. Monks in Motion: Buddhism and Modernity Across the South China Sea (AAR. Henepola Gunaratana is another modern Theravda scholar who studied philosophy in the west (at the American University). Some lay practitioners have always chosen to take a more active role in religious affairs, while still maintaining their lay status. Theravda Buddhism in Cambodia and Laos went through similar experiences in the modern era. Recent modernist Theravdins have tended to focus on the psychological benefits and psychological well-being. "Abhidhamma Pitaka." Taylor, J.L. These categories are not accepted by all scholars, and are usually considered non-exclusive by those who employ them. In Theravda, one's previous intentional actions strongly influence one's present experience. By Alex Shashkevich "Abhayagiri". [web 6] This period also saw the establishment of the Bengal Buddhist Association (in 1892) and the Dharmankur Vihar (1900) in Calcutta by Kripasaran Mahasthavir. Over time, Anuradhapura Theravada adopted and assimilated various pre-Buddhism elements. [98][99], Throughout the 19th and 20th century, Thai Rattanakosin kings passed various laws which re-organized the sangha into a more hierarchical and centrally controlled institution. Forest Monks and the Nation-state: An Anthropological and Historical Study, p. 12. Dharmapala appealed to laypersons, providing them with a national identity and a modern religious practice. Throughout Nanamoli translates this term as "meditation subject.". Under these kings, the sangha was organized into a hierarchical bureaucracy led by the Sangha Council of Elders (Pali: Mahthera Samgama), the highest body of the Thai sangha. He built Laos's first wat in A.D. 1356 to house the Pha Bang Buddha (see History). On the other hand, Y. Karunadasa contends that the tradition of realism goes back to the earliest discourses, as opposed to developing only in later Theravada sub-commentaries: If we base ourselves on the Pali Nikayas, then we should be compelled to conclude that Buddhism is realistic. [31] Akira Hirakawa and David Kalupahana have argued that Mahyna influence can even be found in the Pli commentaries of the Mahvihra school. They are seen as the mythical founders of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, a story which scholars suggest helps to legitimize Theravda's claims of being the oldest and most authentic school.[5]. 1939). The collection covers a large range of topics, from childrens books to art and history, spanning Mayahayana, Theravada and other Buddhist traditions. Both Mahyna and Theravda also provided a clear and important place for lay followers. Today there are forest based traditions in most Theravda countries, including the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition, the Thai Forest Tradition as well as lesser known forest based traditions in Burma and Laos, such as the Burmese forest based monasteries (taw"yar) of the Pa Auk Sayadaw. [86], The core of Theravda Buddhist doctrine is contained in the Pli Canon, the only complete collection of Early Buddhist Texts surviving in a classical Indic language. [128] Under the Nguyn dynasty (18021883), many Khmer Theravdins were persecuted and sometimes forced to abandon their customs and convert to Mahayana. Sla, meaning moral conduct, is mainly defined as right speech, right action, and right livelihood. Another important religious practice for the devout is the keeping of special religious holidays known as Uposatha which are based on a lunar calendar. [100][3], According to the Sri Lankan scholar Y. Karunadasa, a dhammas ("principles" or "elements") are "those items that result when the process of analysis is taken to its ultimate limits". In Sri Lanka, it became known as the Tambapaiya (and later as Mahvihravsins) which was based at the Great Vihara (Mahavihara) in Anuradhapura (the ancient Sri Lankan capital). [213], In 2010, in the US, four novice nuns were given the full bhikkhuni ordination in the Thai Theravda tradition, which included the double ordination ceremony. Washington (D.C.) Buddhist Vihara founded first Theravada monastic community in the USA. Nowadays, there are three types of Buddhism in Nepal: Theravada, Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism and Newar Vajrayana Buddhism. {11; and Bhavana Society Brochure} ca. Theravada Buddhism is common in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma (Myanmar). The Sri Lankan Buddhist Sangha initially preserved the Buddhist scriptures (the Tipitaka) orally as it had been traditionally done in India. Buswell Jr., Robert E.; Lopez Jr., Donald S. (2013). [129] During this time, there was also a movement to introduce a Vietnamese form of Theravda. [124] Throughout the 20th century, many Newars, who traditionally practice a form of Vajrayana, have enthusiastically adopted Theravda. They then returned to the west, bringing the Thai forest tradition with them and founding various monasteries like Amaravati (England), Cittaviveka (England), Wat Metta (California, USA) and Abhayagiri (California). Frauwallner, Erich. [121] Important figures of the Nepalese Theravda movement include Dharmaditya Dharmacharya, Mahapragya, Pragyananda and Dhammalok Mahasthavir. The life of the monk or nun in a community is much more complex than the life of the forest monk. Gombrich explores the legacy of the Buddha's predecessors and the social and religious contexts against which Buddhism has developed and changed throughout history . [149] Intention is central to the idea of kamma. The Pli Dhammapada Commentary mentions another split based on the "duty of study" and the "duty of contemplation". While the Modernists focus on meditation and Buddhist philosophy and are open to modern secular knowledge, the traditionalists focus on traditional merit making practices, such as reciting Pali texts. by Siddhartha Gautama (the "Buddha"), is an important religion in most of the countries of Asia. Check Price at Amazon. Ronkin, Noa, Early Buddhist Metaphysics: The Making of a Philosophical Tradition (Routledge curzon Critical Studies in Buddhism) 2011, p. 2. [194] These include social service and activist organizations such as the Young Men's Buddhist Association of Colombo, the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, the Sarvodaya Shramadana of A. T. Ariyaratne, the NGO's founded by Sulak Sivaraksa such as Santi Pracha. In the 20th century, numerous westerners traveled to Thailand and ordained in the Thai Forest tradition under teachers like Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Lee. 2, translated from the Pali. [154], Traditionally, the ultimate goal of the practice is to achieve mundane and supramundane wisdom. This module will let you know about the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related issues of Comparative Analysis of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhaghosa's commentary on the Satipatthana sutta ("Bases of mindfulness discourse"), as well as the source text itself, are also another important source for meditation in this tradition. The Council created a new redaction of the Pli Canon, the Chaha Sagti Piaka (Sixth council Pitaka) which was then published by the government in 40 volumes. Though Sri Lankan orders are often organized along caste lines, men who ordain as monks temporarily pass outside of the conventional caste system, and as such during their time as monks may act (or be treated) in a way that would not be in line with the expected duties and privileges of their caste. [110] The Dhammayuttika Nikaya was also introduced into Laos. Theravda monks typically belong to a particular nikaya, variously referred to as monastic orders or fraternities. [web 7] Due to these efforts, most Buddhists in Bangladesh today (about 1% of the population) favor Theravda Buddhism. The form of Buddhism that developed elsewhere in Asia is called Mahayana. This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 23:12. Monks follow 227 rules of discipline, while nuns follow 311 rules. [158][159], Vipassana practice begins with the preparatory stage, the practice of sila, morality, giving up worldly thoughts and desires. [93] Ngettwin Sayadaw was a popular reformer during the 19th century. Swearer, Donald K. The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia: Second Edition, p. 164. Initially, the revival of Buddhism in India was tied to modernist movements in Sri Lanka and Burma as well as to Theosophy and included organizations such as the Maha Bodhi Society (founded in 1891 by Anagarika Dharmapala), and the Sakya Buddhist Society of Iyothee Thass (1898). Free Postage. [13] The Pali Canon, which contains the main scriptures of the Theravda, was committed to writing in the first century BCE. [106], In the early 1900s, Thailand's Ajahn Sao Kantaslo and his student, Mun Bhuridatta, led the Thai Forest Tradition revival movement which focused on forest monasticism, and strict adherence to the vinaya. Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha. [98][99] "Dhamma" has been translated as "factors" (Collett Cox), "psychic characteristics" (Bronkhorst), "psycho-physical events" (Noa Ronkin) and "phenomena" (Nyanaponika Thera). However, it has recently also begun to spread to other ethnic groups as well. [26] The patronage of monarchs such as the Burmese king Anawrahta (Pali: Aniruddha, 10441077) and the Thai king Ram Khamhaeng (floruit. [91], Sinhalese Buddhists were aided by the Theosophical Society. These "precept-holders" live in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, and Thailand. This event is known as Dhamma Chakka-Pavattana, which means turning the wheel of dharma. Rendering service to others; looking after others or needy. Theravada developed from a sect called Vibhajjavada that was established in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. ISBN 952-5527-00-X. [citation needed]. Theravada Buddhism Community. [152] Currently, there are also various traditions of Theravda meditation practice, such as the Burmese Vipassana tradition, the Thai Forest Tradition, the esoteric Born kammahna ('ancient practices'), the Burmese Weikza tradition, Dhammakaya meditation and the Western Insight Meditation movement. [168][169][170], According to Vajirana Mahathera, writing from a traditional and text-based point of view, in the Pli Canon whether one begins the practice by way of samatha or by way of vipassan is generally seen as depending on one's temperament.