Theravada

Theravada, or the little vehicle, was brought to Sri Lanka in 246 B.C.E by Mahinda and continues to spread through SouthEastern parts of Asia. Some key perfections of Theravada Buddhism are generosity, moral discipline, patience, effort, meditative concentration, wisdom, truthfullness, loving-ness, giving things up for the better good, and controlling stress. Theravada focuses on the concept of learning from one’s own mistakes or experiences. It is often known as the idea of “teaching of analasis.”A common term used in the Theravada tradition is the Four Stages of Enlightenment. The Four stages of enlightenment explain all the steps and stages you go through until you reach Nirvana. Each stage would bring you closer to enlightment.The first stage is considered a “stream- enterer”, and they are guaranteed no more than seven successful rebirths. The second stage is a “once returner”, who will be born once more before achieving enlightment. The third stage is the “non-returner”, who will not come back into human existance. They will be born into another world and achieve partial enlightment. The final stage of enlightment is a Arhat. An Arhat will no longer continue the cycle of rebirth and has become fully enlightened. Arhat is the best and the main goal of all Buddhist out there. The three different groups of Therevada Buddhists are Atrotopaic buddhism, Kammatic buddhism, and Nibbanic buddhism. Atrotopaic buddhism is concentratd on protection from evil spirits. Kammatic buddhism is based on doing good deeds for future births and in an attempt to end the cycle of rebirth. Some activities of meritment to Therevadas’ is offering necessities to monks, donating to temples and monasteries,lighting inscense before the images of Buddha, and chanting protective or merit-making versus. Nibbanic buddhism is focused on achieving equal liberation for everyone and not just individuals.

Mahinda

Mahinda Thera is known for bringing Theravada Buddhism into Sri Lanka. Mahinda was the son of emperor Ashoka of India. As a Buddhist monk, he and other monks were sent to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism It was said the king of Sri Lanka was on a hunting expedition, when he met the monks. After their deep conversations it was said the king’s entire royal party converted to Buddhism. Mahinda and the other monks would go on to give public speeches at Sri Lanka’s Royal Hall and Royal Park; this led to Sri Lanka’s public approach toward Theravada Buddhism.