ACADEMIA SYSTEM GLOBAL COLLEGES

Brgy. Tabunok, City of Talisay, Cebu, Philippines

Subject Code: Subject Title:  Introduction to World Religions and Belief
HUMSS02 Systems
Module No: 10 Topic:  Theravada Buddhism
Teacher: Devijoy Vargas Lepalam
Name: Vincent Q. Bayno
Grade and Section: 11P Humss-Hope

VI. WALKING THE EXTRA MILE

Theravada Buddhism
1. Type of Theism Polytheism, Deism, Monotheism
2. God’s Name There is no belief in a personal god
3. Sacred Text or Book In Theravāda Buddhism, the standard
collection of buddhavacana is the Pāli
Canon, also known as the Tripiṭaka ("three
baskets").
4. Relevance to the term Dharmic Religion In Buddhism, dharma is the doctrine, the
universal truth common to all individuals
always, proclaimed by the Buddha.
Dharma, the Buddha, and the sangha
(community of believers) make up the
Triratna, “Three Jewels,” to which
Buddhists go for refuge
5. Place of Origin Theravada originated in India around 500
B.C. and has been practiced in numerous,
mostly south Asian, countries. Today it is
practiced primarily in Burma, Cambodia,
Laos, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
6. Historical Setting The Theravada form of Buddhism
gradually spread eastward, becoming
dominant in Myanmar in the late 11th
century and in Cambodia and Laos by the
13th and 14th centuries. The ideal of
Theravada Buddhism is the arhat (Pali:
arahant), or perfected saint, who attains
enlightenment as a result of his own
efforts.
7. Principal Goals in Life Theravada Buddhism emphasises attaining
self-liberation through one's own efforts.
Meditation and concentration are vital
elements of the way to enlightenment. The
ideal road is to dedicate oneself to full-
time monastic life
8. Beliefs about God Theravada Buddhists believe that once the
Buddha died, he disappeared. The Buddha
does not have the status of a god as he is
dead. According to Theravada Buddhism,
 the most ideal path to enlightenment
would be living in monastic tradition
9. Place of worship On full moon days and festivals, Buddhists
may visit a vihara or temple to worship
with others. Temples are centers for study
and worship for the whole community.
Theravada Buddhists bring offerings of
candles, flowers, rosaries, and incense.
10. Belief about soul Buddhism denies there is any such soul or
self in a living being but does assert that
there is a cycle of transmigration
consisting of rebirth and re death as the
fundamental nature of existence.