Theravada

Buddhist Customs
and Traditions
Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
General Academic Strand | Humanities and Social Sciences
 Doctrines of Buddhism

● based on Buddha’s
teachings

● serve as framework
for customs and
practices

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 Doctrines of Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths
Noble Truth Sanskrit Meaning
term

1. The truth of - “incapable of satisfying”

dukkha
suffering - Life is suffering.

- All suffering is caused by desire.

2. The truth of the
samudaya
cause of suffering
- desire for control; sensual
pleasures, material goods, fame,
success, or immortality, etc.
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 Doctrines of Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths

Noble Truth Sanskrit Meaning
term

- Desires that cause suffering can

3. The truth of the be overcome.
nirodha
ending of suffering - Concept of Impermanence
- nirvana

4. The truth of the - There is a path/way to eliminate

path to ending magga suffering.
suffering - The Eightfold Path
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 Doctrines of Buddhism

● also known as “the Middle Way”

● Threefold Way (ethics, meditation,
and wisdom)

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 Doctrines of Buddhism
The Eightfold Path
proper behavior; not causing harm; not
right action killing, stealing or engaging in sexual
misconduct
1.Ethics avoiding lies, gossip, and abusive
right speech
words

right livelihood honest job or business

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 Doctrines of Buddhism

The Eightfold Path

alert and aware of one’s mind,
right mindfulness
body, and emotions

2. Meditation right effort wholesome qualities of a person

right concentration proper meditation

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 Doctrines of Buddhism

The Eightfold Path

clear understanding of reality
right understanding
3. Wisdom and suffering
committed in following the
right intention
Buddhist path

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 Doctrines of Buddhism

Law of Dependent Origination

● states that nothing exists
on its own
● also known as the
Buddhist Doctrine of
Causality
● desires and cravings
produce karma or “willful
action”
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Customs and Traditions

● believed to bring
blessings to the
adherents of
Buddhism
● guide in the spiritual
journey to
enlightenment
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 Customs and Traditions
Meditation
● important tool to achieve
enlightenment
● two types:
○ Samatha (calming
meditation)
○ Vipassana (insight
meditation) 11
Customs and Traditions
Lay and Monastic
Life
Buddhist monks
● live in monastic
communities called
sangha (near forests
and mountains)
● shave their heads
● wear yellow and orange
robes
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 Customs and Traditions

Lay and Monastic

Life
Buddhist monks
● meditation and
chanting before dawn
● begging for food
around the village
● study Buddhist
teachings and more
meditation 13
Customs and Traditions
Lay and Monastic
Life
In communities,
Buddhistic monks:
● preach
● accept alms
● officiate funerals

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 Customs and Traditions
Lay and Monastic
Life
Laypeople provide for
the economic and
material needs of the
monks.
○ Fulfilling these
duties is seen as
merit-making.
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Customs and Traditions
Lay and Monastic
Life
Five Precepts
commitment to abstain
from:
1. killing living things
2. stealing
3. sexual misconduct
4. lying
5. intoxication
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 Customs and Traditions
Wrap-Up
● The Law of Dependent Origination is the Buddhist doctrine
of causality. It states that everything has been caused into
existence. This law explains karma and samsara, or the cycle
of birth and rebirth.
● Meditation is an important tool in achieving enlightenment.
It has two types: Samatha (calming meditation) and
Vipassana (insight meditation).
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 Customs and Traditions
Wrap-Up
● In Theravada Buddhism, monks and laypeople engage in merit-
making by fulfilling their distinct but complementary roles.
Monks propagate Buddha’s teachings and guidance to
laypeople. In return, laypeople support monks by providing
them with material and economic assistance.
● Most festivals and holidays in Theravada Buddhism celebrate
the life and teachings of the Buddha. Vesak or Buddha’s Day is
the most important festival.
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 Photo Credit
Photo Credits

● Slide no.: [name of file] by [Author] is licensed under [licensing code] via [source].

● Slide 4: Blue and Red litmus papers by Kanesskong is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

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 Bibliography
Bibliography
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). “Theravada Buddhism.” October 2, 2002.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/theravada_1.shtml.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). “Buddhist beliefs.” February 10, 2021.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zf8g4qt/revision/3.

Buddha101.com. “The History, Philosophy and Practice of Buddhism.” February 9, 2021.

https://www.buddha101.com/p_origin.htm#Dependant%20Origination.

Gethin, Rupert. “Foundations of Buddhism.” Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1998.

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 Bibliography
Bibliography
O'Brien, Barbara. "Buddhism and Karma." Learn Religions, August 27, 2020,
https://www.learnreligions.com/buddhism-and-karma-449992.

Lopez, Donald S. "Eightfold Path." Encyclopedia Britannica, May 12, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eightfold-
Path.

Mercado, Leonardo N. “The Filipino Mind: Philippine Philosophical Studies II”. Cultural Heritage and Contemporary
Change Series III, Asia, Volume 8. http://www.crvp.org/publications/Series-III/III-8.pdf.

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