Theravāda
A tradition of Buddhism.
What the sources state
Forest Sangha states that the Theravada tradition is grounded in the discourses recorded in the Pali Canon, the oldest Buddhist scriptures.
“The Theravada tradition is grounded in the discourses recorded in the Pali Canon, the oldest Buddhist scriptures.”
In their own words
Forest Sangha states that Theravada means the Way of the Elders, named for its adherence to the original teachings and monastic discipline expounded by the Buddha.
“Theravada literally means the Way of the Elders, and is named so because of its strict adherence to the original teachings and rules of monastic discipline expounded by the Buddha.”
In their own words
Forest Sangha describes Theravada Buddhism, also called the Southern School, as present throughout Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka.
“Theravada Buddhism, also known as the Southern School of Buddhism, is present throughout Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka.”
In their own words
Forest Sangha describes the Thai Forest tradition as one branch of the Theravada Buddhist tradition.
“The Thai Forest tradition is one branch of the Theravada Buddhist tradition.”
In their own words
Observances in 2026
| Observance | Dates | How certain |
|---|---|---|
| Vesak | 1 May 2026 | Calculated |
Sources
- Pew Research Center — The Future of World Religions (opens in a new tab)
- Forest Sangha (Thai Forest tradition) (opens in a new tab)
- Plum Village (opens in a new tab)
- Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (opens in a new tab)
- Access to Insight (opens in a new tab)
- Buddhist Publication Society (opens in a new tab)
- Office of the Karmapa (opens in a new tab)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Buddha (opens in a new tab)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Abhidharma (opens in a new tab)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Ethics in Indian Buddhism (opens in a new tab)