Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Bohol
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
SECOND QUARTER: WEEK 9

Competency : Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Theravada Buddhism
Reference : Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems by Ong and Jose (2016), pp.
134-146
Copyright For classroom use only

LESSON 9: Brief History, Core Teachings, Fundamental Beliefs, Practices, and Related Issues
of Theravada Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the most practical among the world’s great religions because its belief system intends
to meet basic human needs and solve humankind’s spiritual problem without depending on supernatural
forces (Brown 1975). The two main divisions of the religion are Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada
Buddhism. With around 360 million followers, Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in China, Japan, and
Mongolia. Meanwhile, Theravada Buddhism, with 150 million adherents, is followed in Myanmar,
Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

BRIEF HISTORY
Buddhism has been in existence for over 2,500 years and has never experienced any drastic or radical
schisms in its evolution (Toula-Breysse 2001). As the disciples of Siddhartha Gautama spread his word and
preached throughout various communities, there came a need for them to adapt to local culture, politics,
and economic context. Emerging branches of Buddhism had become adjusted to the milieu of the place.
They may differ on the doctrines of Buddhism but their relationships with other subgroups are generally
good (Toula-Breysse 2001). The basic tenets of both major schools of thought originate from Siddhartha
Gautama whose life has become a constant source of inspiration to others (Brown 1975).

CORE TEACHING
The early schools of Buddhism developed their own unique body of sacred texts. Of these, however, only
the Pali Canon or the Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three baskets”) of Theravada Buddhism survives (Coogan 2005).
Preserved in the Pali language, this standard collection of scriptures of Theravada Buddhists is the first
known, the most conservative, and the most complete extant early canon of Buddhist writings.
Immediately after Siddhartha’s death or parinirvana, the “First Buddhist Council” was called to order to
recite the content of his teachings or dhamma/dharma. These teachings were initially passed down orally
until they were recorded in palm trees after five centuries during the “Fourth Buddhist Council” held in 29
B.C.E. The monks saw the need to commit into writing the Pali Canon so that in the event that the monks
die, important Buddhist teachings would still remain. The council was convened in Tambapanni as a result
of poor harvests in Sri Lanka that starved many monks. With the support of the Sri Lankan king,
Vattagamani or Valagamba of Anuradhapura, the council lasted for three years. Five hundred monks recited
Siddhartha’s teachings as they recorded them in palm trees.
In Pali language, the word pitaka translates as “basket” referring to the receptacles where the palm leaf
manuscripts were stored by the monks. The three baskets (tipitaka/tripitaka) and their contents are
summarized in the table below:

Figure 1. The Tipitika

Source: Michael D. Coogan (ed.), Eastern Religions, p. 145.

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
Siddhartha never intended to start a new religion especially, and so his teachings are focused primarily on
ethics and self-understanding as people work for their salvation on their own without needing the assistance
of any supreme being (Hopfe 1983). Here lies the main difference of Buddhism with other religions—it has
no place for God or savior, as salvation entirely lies within anyone’s control (Brown 1975). Siddhartha did
not claim to be a savior but a guide and teacher as he pointed the way for others to follow and gain spiritual
bliss in doing so.
Four Noble Truths
The teachings of Siddhartha include discourses on the basic tenets of Buddhism, such as the “Four Noble
Truths” and the “Noble Eightfold Path.” Siddhartha’s pursuit for enlightenment was due to the
dissatisfaction he continually experienced despite living an opulent life in the palace. The Pali term for
unsatisfactoriness or suffering is dukkha (Kulananda 2001). Dukkha may be manifested in misery, distress,
agony, emptiness, or conflict. Outside the real world, Siddhartha began to witness the various
manifestations of inescapable suffering—from old age, illness, and eventual death. Siddhartha analyzed the
problem of dukkha that led him to arrive to the basic law of causation or the “Four Noble Truths.” Perhaps
the most well-known among Siddhartha’s teachings, this profound doctrine is the heart of Buddhism,
summarized below.
(1) The First Noble Truth. This identifies the origin of the problem— the dukkha. Suffering can be
experienced throughout the different stages of a person’s life—from birth, sickness, old age, to ultimate
death. When one clings to one of the previously stated aggregates, this leads to suffering. When one unites
with the unpleasant, it causes suffering. When one dissociates from the pleasant, it also results in suffering.
(2) The Second Noble Truth. This explains the cause of suffering or the samodaya – in craving or desire
(or tanha), in the perpetual thirst of humans to consume things, experiences, or ideas (Parrinder 1971).
(3) The Third Noble Truth. This asserts that there is a cessation or nirodha to suffering and bondage by
eliminating craving and desire. By dropping the bonds of craving, one gets to be released from the
fundamental nature of reality.
(4) The Fourth Noble Truth. This directs an individual to the path or magga leading to the termination of
craving and desire, and to eventual cessation of pain. Likewise, one must avoid self-indulgence and self-
torture since both are pointless. This is the path toward moderation or the “Middle Way” aimed at ending
suffering. Known as the “Noble Eightfold Path” which is an entirely practical path—and each described as
“right” or samma — it is divided into three aspects, namely, wisdom, morality, and meditation. For path of
wisdom, this includes Right View and Right Intention. For path of morality, this includes Right Speech,
Right Action, and Right Livelihood. For path of meditation, it consists of Right Effort, Right Mindfulness,
and Right Concentration. Table below summarizes the essence of the “Noble Eightfold Path.”
Figure 2. The Noble Eight Path
Eightfold Path What One Must Do
Right View Understand the “Four Noble Truths”
Right Intention Free one’s self from ill-will, cruelty, and untruthfulness
Right Speech Abstain from untruthfulness, tale-bearing, harsh language, and vain talk
Right Action Abstain from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct
Right Livelihood Earn a living in a way not harmful to any living thing
Right Effort Avoid evil thoughts and overcome them, arouse good thoughts and
maintain them
Right Mindfulness Pay vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling, and mind
Right Concentration Concentrate on a single object so as to induce certain special states of
consciousness in deep meditation
Source: Lifted from David A Brown, A Guide to Religions, pp. 128-129

The mastery of the various truths and observance of the path would lead a person to break the bond that
binds him or her to life and obtain release from the eternal cycle of death and rebirth or samsara. This cycle
is influenced by karma which is a law of cause and effect.
Law of Dependent Origination
The Law of Dependent Origination or Paticca-samuppada is one of the most insightful teachings of
Siddhartha. With everything built upon a set of relations, it follows that every effect has a definite cause
and every cause has a definite effect (Mizuno 1987). In short, nothing comes into being by mere accident
and actions do not happen in a random way. A short formula for this principle can be read in four lines as:
When this is, that is; This arising, that arises; When this is not, that is not; This ceasing, that ceases. In
Buddhism, dependent origination is a twelve-linked chain that explicates how all things are inter-connected,
how error and attachment to error occur, and how, if the chain is untangled, nirvana can be achieved
(Mizuno 1987; Bowker 1997).

Impermanence of Things
Nothing in this world is fixed and permanent and everything is subject to change and alteration.
Impermanence is an unavoidable fact of human existence. Buddhism affirms five processes deemed
uncontrollable by any individual: old age, sickness, dying, decay, and death. However, when one is released
from samsara, a being escapes all these phenomena. That being has then reached a state called nirvana
wherein desire has been extinguished from one’s self. No more unpleasant karma can be created while
greed, hatred, and delusion have all been obliterated. When one achieves nirvana, a person’s mind is at
perfect peace. Everyone is capable of attaining nirvana in this life just as the saints of Buddhism did in their
lives. Those who have achieved nirvana are called arhat or one who is “worthy of honor.”

The Sangha
The Pali word sangha literally means “sharer” that refer to monks who share in the general fund of alms
provided by a community. Translated as “association” or “assembly,” sangha pertains to the Buddhist order
and monastic community as founded by Siddhartha during the same year that he attained his enlightenment.
Kondanna, Siddhartha’s follower and one of the so-called “Five Ascetics,” was the first disciple ordained
to the sangha. Later on, the other four ascetics became part of the order, namely, Bhaddiya, Vappa,
Mahanama, and Assaji. Among the most popular monks in Buddhist history were the “Five Ascetics,”
Sariputta, Moggallana, Rahula (Siddhartha’s son), and Ananda. Siddhartha preached and accepted members
to the sangha regardless of their rank in society in stark contrast to the Brahmin priest who would not dare
converse to members of a lower class (Suriyabongs n.d).
 PRACTICES
Attainment of salvation for any Buddhist is by way of one’s own action without the assistance of any
supreme or supernatural being. Followers are guided by the teachings of Siddhartha as lay people offer gifts
to Siddhartha and the sangha during days of worship and observance.
In Buddhism, stupas are commemorative monuments that contain sacred relics associated with Siddhartha
himself, and the venerable monks and nuns. These burial mounds predate Buddhism as ancient Indian kings
and heroes were housed in stupas. With the death of Siddhartha, his body was cremated and his ashes were
divided among eight followers and preserved in eight stupas (Toula-Breysse 2001). None of these stupas
remain fully intact as of today. With a million stupas located all over Asia, not all stupas house Siddhartha’s
relics. Others contain artefacts of his revered disciples, or his image, writings, or teachings. Nevertheless,
stupas represent Siddhartha’s body, speech, and mind. The design of the stupa depicts the path to
enlightenment. In time, stupas became pilgrimage sites as they were covered in earth and decorated with
Siddhartha’s life. In Tibet, the stupa was transformed into a chorten. Elsewhere, it became a pagoda in
Southeast and East Asia.
For Buddhist celebrations, the most important festival occurs every May on the night of the full moon as
Buddhist followers around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha about
2,500 years ago. Known as Vesakha or Vesak, it is also known as “Buddha Purnima” or “Buddha Day.”
Vesak refers to the lunar month that falls in May and “Vesak Day” is the holiest day for all Buddhists.
Celebrated with immense festivity, Buddhists send out thoughts of affectionate benevolence to the living
and to the departed ones. They also perform rituals at stupas.
Most festivals celebrated in the Buddhist tradition are frequently happy occasions. Lay people proceed to
the monasteries and offer food to the sangha as they meditate and listen to the sermons. Most Buddhist
celebrations are held to commemorate important events in the life of Siddhartha. Apart from Buddhist New
Year, other celebrations include Magha Puja Day (Sangha Day), Asalha Puja Day (Dhamma Day),
Uposatha (Observance Day), Pavarana Day, Kathina Day, and Bodhi Day (Enlightenment Day).
Magha Puja Day occurs during the full moon of the third lunar month. It commemorates the event where
Siddhartha went to Rajgir to meet and ordain the 1250 arhats in Venuvana Monastery. Two of his chief
disciples, namely, Sariputta and Moggallana, were present during the assembly. Meanwhile, Asalha Puja
Day commemorates Siddhartha’s first teaching (or the turning of the wheel of the dharma) held near
Benares. During this time, the monk Kondanna reached the first level of enlightenment.

RELATED ISSUES

War and Violence

In Buddhism, war is evil or akusala and some scholars state that it has no rationalization in Siddhartha’s
teachings. However, there are instances wherein Buddhist monks engaged themselves in open conflict, such
as those that occurred in China and Japan. Quite recently, monks have been in the forefront of political and
social activism in Asia, such as Myanmar’s “Saffron Revolution” in 2007 and the Tibet demonstrations in
2008. While most monks advocate non-violence, Sri Lankan monks are part of the “Jathika Hela Urumaya”
or the National Heritage Party, a political party founded in 2004 that supports military solutions to the
country’s ongoing civil war.

Women in Buddhism
Historically speaking, Siddhartha allowed women to participate in the sangha although there were some
stipulations. Siddhartha’s outlook is very different when one considers the status of women in ancient India
as being viewed as inferior to men. Considered at times belonging to the lowest caste, women’s principal
role was to become faithful and devoted housewives subject to the whims of their husbands. In Buddhism,
however, both sexes are seen as equally relevant in society as they share equal responsibilities in their
family duties. Within the sangha, Siddhartha recognized the potential and value of the bhikkunis who were
also experts in teaching the dharma. These include Dhammadina, Khema, and Uppalavanna.

ACTIVITY
Direction: Explain and analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and
related issues of Theravada Buddhism through a graphic organizer.

__________________ ____________________
___________________ ____________________
___________________ Brief Core ____________________
History Teachings
___________________ ____________________
___________________ ____________________

__________________ Theravada __________________

__________________ Buddhism __________________
__________________ Related Fundamental __________________
Issues Beliefs
__________________ __________________
__________________ __________________

Practices

___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________

ASSESSMENT
Directions: Read the following questions carefully. Select the letter of the best answer from the given
choices.

1. Most festivals celebrated in the Buddhist tradition are frequently happy occasions. What is the
most important festival and the holiest day for all Buddhists?
A. Asalha Puja Day B. Bodhi Day C. Buddha Day D. Magha Puja Day

2. Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “The Buddha”. The
name Buddha means____________.
A. divine B. enlightened C. learned D. sacred

3. The Noble Eight Path or “Middle Way” is a practical path that aimed of ending suffering, which
of the following is not part of Noble Eight Path?
A. Right Action B. Right Livelihood C. Right Salute D. Right View

4. To end suffering, one must do the following:

 1. Earn a living in a way not harmful to any living thing
2. Abstain from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct
3. Free one’s self from ill-will, cruelty, and untruthfulness
4. Pay vigilant attention to every state of the body, feeling, and mind
5. Abstain from truthfulness, tale-bearing, kind language, and modest talk

A. 1, 3 & 5 B. 1, 2, 4 & 5 C. 1, 2, 3 & 4 D. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

5. According to Buddha’s teaching, why do people suffer?

A. because they want to C. because they don’t go to school
B. because they are mean to others D. because they desire worldly things

6. What is the Buddha’s Eightfold Path?

A. eight steps to become a god C. eight steps to eliminate suffering
B. eight steps to be reincarnated D. eight steps to become one with the world

7. Siddhartha founded the Sangha during the same year that he attained his enlightenment. Which of
the following characterized the Sangha?
A. group of disciples who renounced the worldly life to wander with the Buddha and listen to his
teachings
B. group of adherents who regard themselves as culturally, ethnically, or religiously adhering to
aspects of Hinduism
C. group of people formed based on some common and coherent features like language, race,
religion, culture, and economic interest with a common leader, goal, and constitution
D. none of these

8. Which of the following are beliefs of Buddhism?

1. The world is full of sorrows.
2. People suffer on account of desire.
3. If desires are fulfilled, nirvana will be attained.
4. The existence of God and soul must be recognized.

A. 1 & 4 B. 1 & 2 C. 1, 2 & 4 D. 1, 2 & 3

9. When it comes to gender relations, Buddhist women:

A. are more dependent on their husbands
B. are in general more equal to men
C. enjoy more freedom than Hindu men
D. as independent as Hindu men regarding their spirituality

10. Why is Buddhism considered one of the most practical among the world’s great religions?
A. because followers believed that mankind was created from a single soul, and all people are
equal in the eyes of God
B. because adherents believed that God communicates to believers through prophets and
rewards good deeds while also punishing evil
C. because its belief system intends to meet basic human needs and solve humankind’s spiritual
problem without depending on supernatural forces
 D. none of these

ANSWER KEY

Activity

*Answers may vary (refer to concept notes)

Assessment

1. C
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. D
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. A
10. C