How Do You Spell THERAVADA?

Pronunciation: [θˌɛɹɐvˈɑːdə] (IPA)

Theravada is a term used to describe one of the major branches of Buddhism. It is pronounced with the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˌtɛrəˈvɑːdə/. The first syllable, "thera," is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a long "a." The second syllable, "vada," is also pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by a long "a." The spelling of the word "Theravada" reflects the Pali language from which it originates. It is a compound word consisting of "thera," meaning "elder," and "vada," meaning "doctrine."

THERAVADA Meaning and Definition

1. Theravada is a term used to refer to one of the two main branches or schools of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana. It is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism and is considered by its followers as the more conservative and orthodox form of the religion.

   The term "Theravada" originates from the Pali language, where "Thera" means "the elders" and "vada" means "doctrine" or "teaching". Therefore, Theravada can be understood as the "Doctrine of the Elders". This reflects the school's emphasis on adhering to the original teachings of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

   Theravada Buddhists believe that enlightenment can only be attained by individual effort and strive to follow the monastic life as closely as possible. They consider the Tripitaka, also known as the Pali Canon, as their primary religious scripture. This collection of teachings encompasses the Buddha's discourses, rules for monastic discipline, and philosophical analysis.

   Theravada Buddhism is particularly influential in Southeast Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Its followers focus on meditation, mindfulness, and ethical conduct as fundamental practices to achieve liberation from suffering and attain enlightenment.

   Overall, Theravada Buddhism is characterized by its adherence to traditional teachings, the primacy of the monastic community, and its focus on personal spiritual cultivation and individual liberation.

Common Misspellings for THERAVADA

• therapida
• thrravada
• theravda
• therapeda
• Theravedda
• Theravatta

Etymology of THERAVADA

The word "Theravada" is derived from Pali, which is the language of the Theravada Buddhist scriptures. It can be broken down into two components: "Thera" and "vada".

1. "Thera" comes from the Pali word "thērā", which means "elder" or "senior". In the Buddhist context, it refers to the senior monks who were the direct disciples of the Buddha. These elder monks were considered to be the preservers and authorities of the early Buddhist teachings.

2. "Vada" means "word" or "doctrine" in Pali. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "vāda". Therefore, "Theravada" can be interpreted as "the teaching of the elders" or "the doctrine of the elders".

Similar spelling words for THERAVADA

• theropoda,
• therapeutic,
• thripidae.