How Do You Spell STHAVIRAVADA?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛsθˌavəɹɐvˈɑːdə] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "sthaviravada" is derived from the Sanskrit language, with the root words "sthavira" meaning "elder" and "vada" meaning "doctrine". In phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /stʰəvɪrəvɑːdə/. This Buddhist term refers to the elder sect of the religion, which emphasizes the traditional teachings passed down by the original disciples of the Buddha. Despite its complex spelling and pronunciation, sthaviravada remains an important concept within the Buddhist faith.

STHAVIRAVADA Meaning and Definition

1. Sthaviravada is a term primarily associated with a specific school of Buddhism known as Theravada. Derived from Sanskrit, the word "sthaviravada" can be translated as "Doctrine of the Elders" or "Teachings of the Elders." It refers to the early Buddhist school that emerged after the death of Gautama Buddha in ancient India and eventually spread to various countries of Southeast Asia.

   Theravada, or Sthaviravada, is considered the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism and upholds the belief in the original teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Pali Canon, also known as Tripitaka. The school emphasizes the importance of the monastic community and places great emphasis on individual effort and meditation as means to attain enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirths, or samsara.

   The followers of Theravada Buddhism follow a strict adherence to the Vinaya, the monastic code of conduct, and emphasize the study and understanding of the Buddha's discourses. The primary objective of Theravada practitioners is to achieve the state of Arahatta, or Arhat, which represents the highest level of spiritual attainment in this tradition.

   Staunch proponents of the Sthaviravada school assert that their doctrine preserves the original teachings of the Buddha more faithfully compared to other Buddhist traditions. However, it is worth noting that Sthaviravada is just one of the many branches of Buddhism, each with its own interpretations and practices.

Etymology of STHAVIRAVADA

The word "sthaviravada" originates from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language. It is composed of two parts: "sthavira" and "vada".

1. Sthavira: This word means "elder" or "venerable" in Sanskrit. It is derived from the root word "sthā" which means "to stand" or "to be firm". In Buddhist terminology, "sthavira" specifically refers to the "elders" or "senior monks" who are considered to be the preservers of the Buddhist teachings.

2. Vada: This term means "doctrine", "teaching", or "school of thought" in Sanskrit. It is derived from the root word "vad" which means "to talk" or "to speak".