There is one small error I noted in the video. The first appearance of the word “theravāda” actually occurs in the Ariyapariyesana Sutta (MN 26), but it is in an entirely different context than that found in later usage. It is in the context of the (non-Buddhist) belief systems of Gotama’s teachers Alāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta, before Gotama reached awakening. FYI! 🙂 Also, if you're interested check out my new free-mini course and other courses on early Buddhism, at onlinedharma.org/
OK another even smaller one: in their recent online course on Pāli, Richard Gombrich and Alex Wynne (who I assume are on all fours about this, though it was said by Alex) claim that Pāli *was* the language of the Buddha. I believe this remains a controversial claim however.
Thanks pamokkha, I assume you’re talking about the citation in the video. Certainly makes sense that the usage would refer to the first council, though I was assuming it also referred to the elders who transmitted it from the first council down through the intervening years.
Just to add, here is a quote from the Dipavamsa: "By these and other saintly Theras who had fulfilled their duties, to the number of five hundred, was the collection of the Dhamma and of the Vinaya made; because it was collected by the Theras, it is called the doctrine of the Theras (theravada)".
I am from Sri Lanka and I learn more about a philosophy of my country from a very wise foreign man thousand miles away. Some monks here need to follow you as a resource person. I am really taken back by your knowledge of Oriental teachings.
Exceptional video. I literally cant criticize it much at all. Im from SL born into the heart of Theravada Buddhism and I highly recommend this mans content.
@@DougsDharma Yes so agree :) I seen my self as a buddhist for 20 years, and every day i wake up and find i am still a beginner in the understanding of every aspect of the teaching. Its a journy for life
I've practiced and studied Buddhism for over 30 years, first Mahayana, and later Theravada. I was fortunate enough to purchase most of the Tipitaka (in English) while living at a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, for a few months in 2000. This video is exceptionally well done, and added to my understanding. I lived in Thailand for almost a year in 2010, and the contrast between the two countries is substantial.Thailand very much mixes Buddhism, Hinduism and local animism, in my opinion. Thank you very much for your clear and concise explanation. As you pointed out, strict adherence to the monastic rules is not universal. In Bangkok, I saw men dressed in monk robes, smoking cigarettes. I was led to believe they were rural monks. Obesity also appears to be a somewhat common health issue in both countries. The Buddha did not emphasize exercise, I suppose because it stimulates attachment to the body.
Thanks Paul. I think obesity would have been unlikely in the early sangha since they were only supposed to take a single meal per day and walk many miles on alms round. They probably would have had to do physical labor of some kind as well to build and maintain the structures that they lived in and shared. In that situation I suppose recommending exercise probably seemed unnecessary, but nowadays less so!
Paul, I think Buddha did emphasize exercise in terms of walking meditation. Obesity can be considered as a result of overindulging in some ways in cases that your metabolism is normal.
Thanks, very enlightening, hope I get to travel to these places one day.What's your opinion in regards to monks consuming meat dishes ,either Theravada or Mahayana ? I am perplexed as to why most buddhist monks eat such"sentient beings". I would have thought it to be an act of violence in the strictest term.
There are so many variants of Theravadan Buddhism in Thailand. Next time, if you come to Thailand, look for Thai Forrest Traditional Buddist monastries led by venerable ajarn Mun. The website accesstoinsight provides English info for this school (if you may not know). This is probably the closest thing to the monastries in the ancient time when the Buddha still taugh people. Obesity or whatever health issue is from the Karma. If it should happen, it will happen. No matter what.
Hey, i loved the video, it’s really nice to see foreigners outside of Asia take an interest in Buddhism. But anyway, for a little backstory, as a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist, what we learnt was that there were events in ancient times called “Dharma Sangaayana” Sangaayana is a Sinhalese term and it literally meant just sitting down and discussing Buddhism and it’s values and how to progress. So as far as we know, there’s been 4 main discussions and 3 of them were in India while the 4th was here in Sri Lanka. Each of them has its own, very interesting backstories and I encourage you all to check them out [for example, the very first one was held roughly 3 months after the Buddha’s passing, due to some crap that was spewed by a “monk” called Subadra right after the Buddha passed] But the one that shows the split between Theravada and Mahayana groups was the 2nd one. A group of monks in India went around saying that a list of 10 unsuitable acts that was accepted in Buddhism at that time is actually false and those acts should be accepted. This caused quite a confusion and a sangaayana [discussion] was held by a large number of senior monks to discuss this. The discussion lasted some amount of months and ultimately it was decided that those 10 acts were actually unacceptable and the monks who insisted, and kept on insisting, that they were acceptable were expelled. These monks then journeyed to East Asia and spread the word of their “changed, new and improved” Buddhism, and that is what is now known as Mahayana Buddhism.
Yes, thanks hhh xngh, you're talking about the Buddhist councils. As I understand it the various traditions preserve different histories of how many councils there were, when they took place, and what happened in them. So it's tough to know precisely what to believe, and it's an open item of research as to the history of these councils.The first council is relatively uncontroversial however, though it likely did not take precisely the form as depicted in the Vinaya.
I think the mahayanas first went to the deccan and kashmir before leaving the subcontinent. It traveled to south east via coromandal and deccan and to china through kashmir and silk road
Your explanations are very clear and concise. Your narration is very well put together and easy to understand. Well done putting into laymen's terms a topic that can often get very esoteric. Wishing you happiness.
I'm so excited to have come across your channel and appreciate this quick overview of Theravada Buddhism. I'm second generation Cambodian American and have been taken to the temple quite often as a little girl, but never really understood the traditions and rituals (for many reasons), and quite frankly, never had an interest until recently. Now I practice more often and go to the local temple more frequently. Now that I understand a little bit about the traditions, I find the practice beautiful and brings me so much joy and happiness in my life and grateful to have re-connected with it . Look forward to binging on the rest of your videos!
The two missionaries who were sent to Sri Lanka were none other than Emperor Ashoka's eldest son Mahinda and eldest daughter Sanghamitta. Actually, it was group of monks not just two; the group of monks also included three of Mahinda's nephews. Mahinda was the heir to the throne of Ashoka's empire but he rejected the throne and embraced Buddhism.
Yes that’s quite right Charles, at least such is the story that comes down to us and so far as I know there is no reason to doubt its veracity. Thanks!
There's inscription in amravathi region that 14 lakh or 1.4 million monks from nagarjunakonda region moved to srilanka they're said to be real thervada Buddhist that we know today. Infact sinhala language is developed because of them. We don't have any proof for mahindra and sangamitta it's only mentioned in 5th century mahavama of srilanka, and it obvious they're written with certain agenda. No Indian original sources regarding ashoka never mentioned any mahindra or sangamitra. So very much possible that story was made up for some nationalistic reasons or to show that their Buddhism is authentic.
@TinTin Mahindra and sangamitra is a lie no Indian Buddhist text mention them not even ashokavadhana not even ashoka own inscriptions. Probably srilankan text exaggerated their histroy books and worte false stories for sense of pride.
@TinTin yes its a mythical story we need to be serious when talking about history. Ramayana is epic. Indian Buddhist text like ashokvadhana are far older and authentic also ashoka inscriptions himself were discovered only after British so they're not just protected but also give us real info about mauryan empire. Many countries have such false claims that Buddha visited them, ashoka visited they're just exaggerations with no evidence not even mauryan inscriptional evidence so we can't take them as truth anymore.
Thank you so much for this! After attending my mother's 100 day memorial service, some regulars of temple recommended me to do more research here! Thanks for being an avenue for me to get back to my roots.
thanks so much for these videos, Doug! I've been binging em. I was raised in an intensely evangelical Christian home, but I've always desired to know my ancestors' religion/spiritual beliefs. However there is very little real information available about the Hopi Native American tribe's practices, BUT one thing I do know and have known is that my ancestors (and some of my family now) believed in a very remarkably similar concept to the hindu and esoteric buddhist concept of "chakras" or energy centers. The more I looked into it, the more I saw so many similarities between my people's traditional beliefs and the ancient religions of southeast/central asia. Considering the fairly strong evidence that my ancestors migrated from Asia, I feel it's plausible that our traditional spiritual practices are actually related to modern Hinduism and esoteric buddhism, albeit distantly due to the vast changes of climate, culture, environment and language. It's an interesting thought, anyway, and one hardly studied at all. Thanks again for your very informative and comprehensive videos!!
As a Sri Lankan Buddhist, I would like to say that there is no Buddhist faith. We learn and we follow "buddha dharshnaya". It is a kind of philosophy. That will lead us to " nirvana" eventually. If you are interested in Buddhism I would like you to visit Sri Lanka.
Hello, Doug! I've watched your channel for a long time and this is my first time in the chat. I've noticed that most western monks in the Theravada tradition are usually very erudite and really understand the original texts that are in Pali.....But they are quite well read and educated in western lit, science and particularly etymology. I own several copies of Bhikku Bodi's wonderful translation and commentaries on the Pali Sutta's. I just thought I'd throw out my observations to you, as you're a great communicator on all things Buddhist. I'm 56 going on 57 so this is all old hat to me, though when I was younger I read Christmas Humphries, the Dalai Lama and a whole host of Buddhist writers, both east and west. It's only been recently that I've actually been wrapping my head around Theraveda, so here I am. Ok, take care and yes, this site is a great resource for all things "Buddhist". Cheers!
Thank you so much for this video! I've gone through so many denominations of Christianity but I'd like to learn more about the teachings of the Buddha. He was a great and wise man!
You’re very welcome DeFyYing, I agree! If you want to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings take a look at the videos on my site. If you want a general intro to Buddhism you can also check out this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjpRP1nwugCGAJF15oPbBLv.html 🙏
I just read all of the comments, and having studied Buddhism at the undergraduate level 5 years ago (at a university), I think you are absolutely correct in repeatedly pointing out that no one can know, with absolute certainty, what transpired 2 millennia ago. The records are obviously incomplete, and human bias has been inserted into all forms of Buddhism over the centuries. I used to believe that Islam destroyed Buddhism in India, but having read into it, I see the situation is far more nuanced and open to debate. It seems to be human nature to want a simple explanation for things that are overwhelmingly complex. The ego is very skilled at producing views and agendas.
That's right Paul. I think also there are different levels at which we can teach. It's sort of like a fractal situation, when you look from 20,000 feet it looks one way, and it's perfectly fine to teach that way, but when you get down to ground level it looks quite different. Newtonian mechanics works at the ordinary level, but not at the level of the very small or very fast. When you get deeper then you see more nuances and realize that there's a lot we really don't know, but we make our best guesses at.
@Aish Ick Chowdhury I think Buddhism survived long after the end of Mauryas or Sungas. Guptas were very well known to promote buddhism through out India. I think Buddhist practices degenerated in India, particularly after Nagarjuna and couple that with revival of Hinduism and basic assimilation of Buddhist practices into Hinduism - especially extra importance given to non-violence and vegeterianism - buddhism as a separate religion became redundant and absorbed into Hinduism.
@@DougsDharma It may also be a fetter of views to contemplate and debate history too much, as it could distract a person away from what is essential . . topics that are essential are said to all fall in the category of The Four Noble Truths. - The fact that there is stress. - The cause of stress. - The end of stress. - The path to end the cause of stress. I recently listened to an audio recorded about a Sutta titled "A Fetter of Views", and hope that this comment is beneficial.
Thanks for the great introduction. A few issues I wish to add. Before Theravada, the school(s) which were using Pali canon as their authentic sacred texts are called Theriya (representative of the Elders), and this was how Theravada came to be known later. And then the Pali Chronicles produced in Sri Lanka and Pali commentaries also used another term to refer to the Theriya school, called Vibhajavada or the school of division/analysis. This analytical school was recognized by the extant Sarvastivada literature as belonging to Theriya school, but the specific doctrines ascribed to it don't seem to match the doctrines conserved by today's Theravada. Also, despite the major spiritual ideal is to become a Sravaka-Buddha or Arhat, the Theravada school has also had its own Bodhisatta path (vow) of ten perfections (parami) that's elucidated in some of their important texts like Buddhavamsa, Jataka and cariyapitaka, though this path was generally regarded as a very tedious, rarely traveled one deserved to very exceptional aspirants, and much of the path do not seem to share with those of Mahayana Buddhism that tries to showcase it as a path for everyone. Part of the disparity is due to the differing definitions and qualities what a "Buddha" is.
Hi Dough! You're doing a great job!!! Anyway there're 2 things that I noted which needs to be clarified. Venerable Ananda Maitreya thero(1896-1998) was not a british monk, ven thero was a Sri Lankan theravada buddhist monk. And 'The Visuddhimagga' is like the 'Attakatha' (detailed but summarized explanation) of the whole thripitaka. We as Sri Lankan theravada buddhists see not a simple deviation within visuddhimagga from the thripitaka. Could you please point out any such thing as you mentioned in the video? Thanks very much!!!
Hello Maithri, and you’re very welcome! As to your points, the British monk was Ananda Metteyya (1872-1923). As to the Visuddhimagga, one difference between the presentation of dhamma there and in the suttas has to do with metta itself, which in the Visuddhimagga is directed towards oneself first and then towards certain specific people. In the suttas this is never done.
@@DougsDharma That is my bad!!! I'm sorry about that(about the ven thero) Anyway, with the second matter, In the visuddhimagga, it doesn't mean to direct metta towards one's self as part of metta exercise. It is done just as some sort of affirmation and proof. (something like warming up before the exercise) In the visuddhimagga itself, ven Buddhaghosha thero has written "Yes, it is true that there is no such metta meditation so as to direct metta towards one's self in suttas, but there is no conflict either by if someone is doing so. In the suttas, metta is described as a samadhi meditation. It is the exercise.It is one of the samatha meditation karmasthana to attain arpana samadhi(dyana). Here in visuddhimagga, directing metta towards one's self is not done to attain samadhi. Furthermore it is absolutely impossible to attain dyana by doing so. But the very reason to start with doing metta towards one's self is just as an affirmation and proof(I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure of the english term I'm using here, my english is not the best😐. But I think those words do the justice) of what we're doing" i.e directing metta towards others is coming wholeheartedly rather than just chanting the words on texts. In fact, doing metta to self is limited to maximum of 10-12 times before starting the exercise. Additionally, Lord Buddha has also taught that "There is no other being or other body for each individual who is pleasant and favourable than own selves" and hence it is imperative to direct loving kindness towards others just the way you do to yourself! You'll find some relevant suttas in "Sanyutta Nikaya, Kosala Sanyuttaya" Thank you!
I'm so much more confused than I was before I watched this video. Lol It is because I have no frame of reference for the different schools of Buddhism as I am very new to Buddhism. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. 🙏
😄Sorry JP, check out this video on the three major schools of Buddhism, it might clear up some confusions for you: th-cam.com/video/FAazFDC8m6M/w-d-xo.html
Big topic Peter! You might want to start by checking out some of the books I suggested on early Buddhism, several include discussion of later material as well: th-cam.com/video/UGNfiyRMkgw/w-d-xo.html
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was credited with reforming the Theravada teachings and practices in Sri Lanka in the 19th centruy (I'm sure that you know this Doug). I just mention this as more background. I became interested in practicing a a secular form of Buddhism based on Theravada after spending a week in Sri Lanka in 1990.
Nice to see you , I m also Theravada Buddhism from Burma . I forget and don't care about Buddhism between 18 and 27 year old . But When James Scope discover there is many Multiverse present not only Universe .and then ,I remember metta chanting include the words that is (Ananda Sakkyarwala ) Ananda=Uncountable Sakkyarwala= Universe .Really Amazing and How our religion is fully right . And then start to learn Vipassana Meditation.🙏🙏🙏 Nivanna is for me , that is completely liberation from Uncountable Multiverse .
I would be interested in knowing more about what you mentioned very briefly concerning the difference between the village monastics who focused more on the texts and the forest monastics and focus more on meditation.
It's a good question Matthew. I'd like to know more about it as well, and if I can find anything particularly interesting and substantive I might make another video. It's a distinction that most recently is used in places like Thailand to distinguish between the forest dwellers (like Ajahn Chah) and the city based sangha. 🙂
I love learning about Buddhism but do you need a certain school or way of teaching when being a Buddhist? Do you have any advice how to navigate being a Buddhist in a country were Buddhism isn’t popular?
Hi o smyth07 and thanks for the questions. You certainly don’t need to belong to any particular school of Buddhism to practice, though it may make it easier and less confusing at least to start with one that resonates with you and work from there. I wouldn’t worry too much about ‘being a Buddhist’, instead focusing on practice. With information from the internet and some books you can practice well anywhere, though having a sangha can be a problem in many parts of the world. If you can’t find one nearby that you like, consider online options or look for local meditation/MBSR teachers who may run meditation classes informally.
Thank You Doug's Secular Dharma. i became interested in Thervada about 20years ago when i stumbled onto a tiny bit of information saying that Theravada Buddhism recognized nature spirits, tree spirits and even fairies. I have never found more information on this since. Any sources i could explore on it would be great, if anyone could recommend anything that might point me in the right direction, my nature spirit heart would be delighted. in Sanskrit Budh is Mercury; "dark like the bud of millet, of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable". Buddha- an incarnation of Mercury. the color green of the heart chakra. compassion being the highest intellect
Yes, so far as I know traditional Theravāda follows the model of the early texts in this. The early texts do talk about all kinds of deities and supernatural creatures. However it is important to keep in mind that these are not considered central to the path. For more on this see my video on Buddhism and atheism: th-cam.com/video/QOQiZbAPtW4/w-d-xo.html . Also the notion of "chakras" in this context is a later addition, it is not found in the early texts.
Siddhartha was born to parents of the Vedic religion to kashtriya family in Lumbini, on the border of Nepal and India-present-day Nepal. Buddha spent his career, attained enlightenment, or achieved moksha in India. Namo Buddhaya 🙏
I am Indian Buddhist. My great grandfather were converted to Buddhism during Dr.Ambedkars Buddhist Conversion Day. And Dr. Ambedkar called the new Buddhism as Navayana Buddhism, but he used many theories from Theravada Buddhism like Pali canon to write the holy text for newly converted Buddhists. In wikipedia it is written that Navayana Buddhists of India, dont believe in four noble truths,rebirth, kamma which is wrong and should be edited. Navayana is a name of Buddhist movement, it is not a new school of Buddhism.
Well its bad fortune that some of Nayana Buddhist only read Buddha and his religion written by ambedker...... Ambedkar really never introduced practical Buddhism in that book , and for more misfortune he totally neglected meditation and other trance state phenomenon.. he miss translated rebirth..... I do not know why such great man done this ..may be Becoz of that time Indians are engaged in just philosophical debate about supernatural things... Its clear that ambedker never Belive in those things neither he has clear understanding of it ...any way new Buddhist must read suttapitika.. And its S N Goenka Becoz of his Buddhist practice start gating more attention in India I beleive one day Buddhism again flourish in India.....
Forgive my ignorance on the subject, as it is why I'm here lol but at 6:45 you mentioned briefly that there are very few nuns in the monastic side of Buddhism and I was just wondering why you think that is. If monks are so critical to what Theravada is; does this mean women aren't as prone as men to practice it? Or do they tend to practice one of the other schools more so, like Mahayana or Zen or not at all? As I am a woman, I am curious to know their role as differentiated from the men's roles. If this is too much to answer here, I'd love to see a video on the subject from you! Thank you so much by the way. I've enjoyed very much watching your videos!
That's a great question Andie but a bit too big for me to get into here! 😀 I have an earlier video on women in Buddhism that will answer some of your questions: th-cam.com/video/864ksDOZwXk/w-d-xo.html . If you have any additional ones let me know!
Zen school (or sudden teaching) is dedicated to awaken or enlighten their disciple. It means to let their disciple find their eighth consciousness (Alaya consciouness, buddha nature, ETC). After that we can really learn the true teaching of buddhaism, if not you just pick up a lot of words. For example, after awakening, you know what is Nirvana, what is the relationship between life/death and Nirvana.
Thanks for that Richard. I actually did another video about the difference between sudden and gradual enlightenment: th-cam.com/video/p0tI1ZjiIQ4/w-d-xo.html
I can confirm I was in shock to read about what is practiced in a monastery funded by Thailand gouvernement at least here in France… because of the rules I thought had to be observed by the monks to be considered Theravada.
Are you familiar with the 1st Schism of the Sangha at the 2nd Great Convocation? I've been told by senior practitioners that the deal breaker was a Sthaviran proposal to abandon the 10th precept 😮 and that that was the root of Mahayana. Thoughts?
@@DougsDharma It's a pleasure to hear your voice and absorb your ideas, master. Life is very difficult for me, without a job, with a beautiful son to raise, I'm full of information in my head that Brazil doesn't know how to value, I'm broke, my family doesn't respect my philosophical skills... but still I'm firm and strong in the search for wisdom and love. Thank you very much, Doug. You help me maybe more than you imagine, although you can help me more than I imagine. (it seems to me that..., there is a difference between transforming and transcending. The transformation takes place through the lens of materialism: one thing ceases to be what it is to be something else. Transcendence is changing what it is, being something new, but keeping what it was before. Of course these are logically different things. The first happens because of objective Separation. The second because of the subjective Absolute. Even though we are enlightened by the path of Brahma, we will still be part of the Absolute, and we will not be separate. Illumination and light are the same thing: principle and attribute of the Absolute that makes itself exist in the Infinite for those who are still materialistic or have matter in form of being. Being enlightened is the Wisdom of feeling the pain to the point of not letting it become suffering due to ignorance, and not thinking that you will never feel pain again because you became enlightened. You are not separate, you are still absolute, only now for the release that takes place in understanding the Denial itself (of the egoistics objects in itself on subjective) and not of the Self.)
I think the western people can learn a lot of things about Buddhism from your videos and courses. A lot of western people still don't know much about Buddhism. Thank you so much for the videos.
@@DougsDharma . Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to reply me. I don't mind even you don't reply to me, because maybe I'll comment to your videos regularly.
I live in Cambodia, a south east asian country and being a Theravada buddhist myself, I can say that here , in my country, many so called Theravada buddhist monks don't really follow the real Theravada disciplines. Just like other south east asian countries like Thailand, they kinda mix with Bramanism... while buddhist followers mostly missee the true value of the teaching and regard it more as a tradition that they should follow... We have 90% of our population as buddhists but if you ask them what the goal of buddhism is, or what is right and wrong, they wont know,,, very sad. They just follow along
I think this is a feature with all religions and belief systems: most people adopt them just because they are culturally expected to, and then they don't really follow them.
I haven't looked into it much but i was watching a video about ocean levels since the last ice age and I think there may have been a land bridge to sri lanka up until about 500 years ago. Not super relevant but interesting to know.
I am glad that you pointed out one of the most crucial difference between Theravada & Mahayana: *Lineage of ordination.* Not too many westerners even Asians are aware of this Theravada tradition. It may not sound very important but in ancient time this was very important because this lineage of ordination can be traced back directly to the disciples of Buddha and ultimately Buddha Himself. And why is this important? *Authenticity of Dharma.*
As I emphasized the lineage of ordination in Theravada, in my previous comment that it can be traced back to the "thera" or elders or the direct disciple of Buddha and finally Buddha himself. _Where does the Mahayana lineage of ordination can be traced back to? Most probably to the monk who created this schism in Buddhism during the second century_ There's a big question mark *(?) as to the authenticity of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. To begin with, the schism was started by the monks who were Brahmans. They wanted to change and incorporate their Hindu philosophy and doctrine into Pali Canon when the elders refused that's when the Mahayana sect started. Well this will be completely a different topic to debate on.
Thanks for your thoughts Charles. No doubt the sutras upon which much Mahāyāna dharma is based are apocryphal. That said, the claim they make that those late sutras give the correct interpretation of the Buddha dharma is subtle. Check out the video I just posted on the history of the Mahāyāna: th-cam.com/video/wi_hqpIu-vk/w-d-xo.html
After getting to know real Teravada Buddhism ,even born as a Teravada Buddhist in Sri Lanka, since lack or real Dhamma teachers in the whole country ,the pure True Dhamm ,what Our Great Lord Buddha has preached was not been taught. Found a true 1.5 years ago a Teacher who has learnt and unerstood the Tripitakaya and Attakatha which has 114 odd books written down in pali (dead language). Which has been brought down according to our Lord Buddhas instructions ,even with regards to the language that been used , pali since been a dead language ,it will not evolve with time so the real Dhamma will last untill people Believe and practice precepts etc. According to our (teachings of Lord Buddha ) Tipitakaya and Attakatha it is mentioned that the " True real teachings are contained (true Dhamma) , is only in "TERAVADA Buddhism " ,and also it means "High priests/monks " like monks who attained Arahath ! So all the others are not Real Buddhism or real Teachings of Lord Buddha . As mentioned emperor Ashok once he understood his position in Teravada Buddhism and his duties what was expected of him by our Maha Arahath Kashyapa Thero,While the emperor was trying to gather all the relics of our Lord Buddha to one place. He found the message that been kept centuries prior by the great Kashyapa Maha Arahath thero to the emperor Ashok ,in a gold canon which indicated that he will spread this Gauthama Buddha's , Universal Truth [the mechanism of Animal ,Awakasha ,Sanskara Worlds and how to stop this neverending cycle] .And when the emperor found he was delighted that he was been seen etc and was soo dissapointed that this presious true dhamma will dissappear in near future from region due to Adharmic invaders,rules and only survive until end of this Sasanaya in Sri Lanka.So he did what he had been expected to do by sending his son ,the great Maha Arahath Mihindu Thero and Sangamiththa Teraniya to Sri Lanka to establish Teravada Buddhism . Yes to deminish Greed Anger Ignoranc,to stop the cycle , one has to believe with life in Our great lord Buddha , and Dhamma ,Gangha .And have to practice to start at least with five precepts again with life !Then by further studying Tipitakaya(Dhamma ) and Attakatha (meaning of Dhamma ).And armsgiving to practice (let go possession )and finally by doing Vidarshana /Vipassana meditation only ,only one can deminish Greed Anger Ignorance from its root ,that the enlightenment can be achieved!!! No ,other Mahayana ,Zen,Thantrayana ,Vajirajaya etc can diminish Greed Anger Ignorance and attain enlightenment .They may do samatha meditation and attain super unnatural powers and dyana but not the Arahath (enlightenment ).
@@charleswey4895 This isn't actually true. For starters, the schism between the Mahasanghikas and Sthavira Nikaya was over innovations to the Vinaya; though the Theravada and Mahayana accounts differ on the precise details they both agree on this. It wasn't until later, with the debates over the fallibility of Arhats, that the disagreements moved in the direction of doctrine, but even this doesn't imply any Hindu influence on the monks. There's no evidence that the split was caused by Brahmins interpolating their previous beliefs into the canon. And as an aside, it's a bit ride to dismiss Mahayana as merely "Hindu with a Buddhist face" without authenticity. I suggest learning about Mahayana from Mahayana sources, and come at it knowing that the majority of Mahayana monks are sincere in their desire to teach Buddhism.
My longtime understanding of being a "greater vehicle" or being a "lesser vehicle" was NOT that the "lesser vehicle" was inferior but that the "greater vehicle" was generously larger to allow the hoi paloi a way in, even if they weren't too bright or very dedicated.
That could be part of what went on, though historically my understanding is that "greater vehicle" was a designation intended to elevate the practice in a sectarian sense. That is, it was a description provided by the practitioners themselves as encompassing a greater vision of the practice.
Doug's Dharma i am currently learning a lot about Theravada Buddhism by studying their Pali Canon and listening to the Bhikkhu's Dhamma talks. However, i still cannot wrap my head around about why bhikkunis have more rules to follow than a bhikkhu. Dont get me wrong i have watched one of your video titled (Women in Buddhism) and that made me doubt about whether the pali canon which is the "nikaya's" are really what the buddha have said. Now watching this video from you i started to get more confuse about what i have gotten myself into. I personally felt like i was blindly exploring Theravada buddhism without knowing it in detail. TL:DR I study the early buddhist text (Nikaya's), Later on found out that it talks about the differences between Bhikkhu and Bhikkhunis, Doubt my belief about Theravada Buddhist teaching, Watched your video and got more confused on what the heck i just got myself into. Reason of me being confused about the teaching: 1.) Gender role as what different responsibilities men and women have to follow. 2.) The Ceasing and rising again of Theravada buddhism and as you mentioned the forest monastery and the urban monastery difference. So my question to you from a scholar point of view: 1) Are the Early Buddhist text which is the Nikaya's, are they really translating what the buddha is saying. I learnt a lot about buddhism in general with your TH-cam content and i really do appreciate if you give me a response. Thank you! Warmess Regards, Daren
The Nikāyas and their parallels in other languages are all we have of the Buddha. But not everything in the Nikāyas is authentic; telling the difference is a matter of scholarship and will always remain somewhat speculative and controversial, but it’s all we have. I wouldn’t worry yourself too much about unanswerable questions, what’s most important is your day to day practice.
Uau Doug ! Another very informative video.... Honestly I´m looking for the school that features the most of my preferences ! Thank you ....or better putten I´m looking for meditative practices that can bring me joy and satisfaction and realization... Holpe your videos can continue to help me (as so far they are doing) ... can we chat by messages ? Thank you very much !!!
Vasubhandu (sp?) is still brought up a bit in Theravada, tho also in Soto Zen he is highly regarded as a predecessor. The Visshudimagga or Path to Perfection or of Perfection is essentially the mindfulness and meditation or practice guide in Theravada. I listen to a lot of monks from the Thai Forest Tradition and it is brought up, or at least versions of practice that are from it. It's an interesting read/skim if you can find a translation, our local University Library has one.
Doug, bro would you make a video about 10 perfections of Theravada? Or maybe about Truthfulness only? Sorry if there is a video related to that, I searched but couldn't find it.
I have a video on Right Speech that would include truthfulness: th-cam.com/video/YfxV12gryGA/w-d-xo.html . The 10 perfections are actually a later teaching, they aren't part of early Buddhism. But I'll put it on the list for consideration. 🙂
@@DougsDharma Thanks! Are you sure? I mean I listen Thanissaro Bhikku, you probably know him, even he talks about and gives lectures about 10 Perfections, and he explicitly says that these Perfections didn't come with Mahayana and it was there in the Theravada at the beginning.
Yes, what Thānissaro is saying is that the Theravāda didn't get them from the Mahāyāna (where they are more prominent). They seem to stem from the late canonical period. They don't appear in the suttas or to my knowledge the Vinaya.
@@DougsDharma Thanks for clarifying. Do you think could a young lay man get Enlightened with following the Path and doing the work necessary, while also enjoying some worldly activities? Like having sex, having a gf, trying to earn money for his future? Thanks for advices Doug, they are helpful as always.
I wouldn't hazard a guess on that one. I can tell you what the Buddha said about that in the early texts: that is, that one basically has to be a monastic or live like a monastic to be fully awakened. But really, the most important thing is making progress along the path and finding how your life changes for the better along the way. Leave the future to itself. 🙂
If I could ask: how would you recommend someone starting with the Pali Canon/early texts? Would it better to amass them one by one? Or perhaps getting an anthology like the "In the Buddha's Words" series?@@DougsDharma
no buddha is not everywhere. Buddha is gone and thats what buddhism is all about. Ending the suffering once and for all; ceasing to exist. Ending thd sansara. Only one still there is the maithree bodhisattva ; the next one to become a buddha.
there are 28 buddhas.why nobody talk about other 27 buddhas. only talk about the last buddha.why? i would like to listen all buddhas story.each buddha's story is different.i want to know about every life before human and become buddha
I am a follower of Theravada Buddhism but my views on why monks are not allowed to make food or money is to remove their desire for wanting things. Buddha has stated that unless you have no desire/greed, you will be able to achieve nirvana. Correct me if I am wrong though because I am still learning and there’s a long way for me to learn in the future.
Well it's a bit more complex than that, but yes these are ways to remove us from sense desire. That said, the Buddha himself would have been enlightened and yet he also followed the same rules.
@@DougsDharma Buddha did have desire because he was kept from knowing everything outside the palace but when he went to the forest, he already had no more desire. Because he was able to comprehend the meaning of life, he is trying to help his sons (sangha) and of course all beings.
Hi Doug, I watched two vidoes of yours and they are excellent. I am a beginner to Buddhism and am learning a lot from your videos. I did wonder about the various paths to Buddhism and am finding some of the answers in your videos. One question: Buddha said not to kill any life. However, not all buddhists are vegetarians. Is there a branch of buddhism that still practices vegetarianism? Another q: I understand is buddhism is more of a way of life than just going to the temple, rituals, prayers etc. What is your view on this?
Hi Cleo Mom and thanks for the questions. As to vegetarianism it's complicated. In general Mahāyāna Buddhists are vegetarians, although many Tibetan Buddhists are not vegetarian, although they are Mahāyāna Buddhists. In general Theravādins are not vegetarians although some are. I did a video on the early history of this here: th-cam.com/video/r5oncPD7jKo/w-d-xo.html . As to your second question, that's a big one too. Yes, in my opinion Buddhism is a way of life, a practice that we live by, rather than just a set of rituals. I've done videos on several of these topics before in case you are interested. One on the Buddha's views of prayer is here: th-cam.com/video/HYfYXYbZE20/w-d-xo.html . 🙂🙏
@@DougsDharma Reg. vegetarianism and Buddhism, your remarks reg. Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism etc makes sense. I have heard that the reason that a large number vegetarians exist (or existed) in India is due to influence from King Ashoka who in turn was influenced by Buddhism. A story I have heard is after a particular war, Ashoka was hurting for the lives lost on both sides and turned to Buddhism. Since Buddha taught not to harm other living beings, King Ashoka extended that to animals as well. So when he funded the spread of Buddhism, part of the teaching was to not kill animals for food which may have influenced Mahayana Buddhism (as it came later). Just my conjecture..Again thank you for your excellent videos.
Hey Doug, I love your videos, I have a question that I would like you to talk about in your next video, the question being, is it possible to practice elements of zen Buddhism with Christianity, to go from eastern meditation to Hebrew meditation? I would like to draw you attention to the following video to help, standby!
Hi Jacob, I did a video awhile back on Buddhists of other religions which deals with subjects such as the ones you raise: th-cam.com/video/8wstShpo3Y8/w-d-xo.html
Sir I have a question. Is it right to worship idols, chant or recite stanzas in Buddhism? And the correct Buddhism Theravada or Mahayana? Can I answer questions?
It can be correct in traditional practice, yes. I guess it would depend on the idol, the chant, or the stanza as to whether it would be mainstream or not.
@@Sawo-500 It's recommended (not demanded or commanded) that you develop skillful qualities . . and all skillful qualities are said to fall under the : - FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS. But it takes prior development to value those truths, the first step is Generosity, and the second step is sense restraint, followed by Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration, until all of the: - NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH. Is mastered, not just consecutively, but simultaneously . . if you've studied other religions, you may be shocked how detailed and literal the instructions are.
There is a very helpful monk/teacher who has literally resuscitated the "Sautrantika" school... He is Bhante Vimalaramsi. Check him, and his very useful way of teaching and practice, out at: www.dhammasukkha.org And also, of course...there are many of his dhamma talks on TH-cam as well! Enjoy!
Well that's not a quick or easy question to answer. Tibetan Buddhism is generally speaking a blend of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism. So if you see my videos on those two schools you will get some sense of it. My playlist on the history of Buddhism is here: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjn4gXp46Q8cMPB0t9FAH0C.html it includes those videos. 🙂
It is interesting that Ashoka promoted buddhism, yet apparently the suttas were not written down during his reign. Writing them down could have saved another few hundred years of oral recitations. Maybe they were written down but didnt survive, but to me it seems unlikely that they would not spread and copy the texts had they already been written down.
Yes I've often wondered whether the first writing down of the suttas didn't occur during Asoka's reign. There is no evidence for it however so it would be sheer speculation to assume so.
Well most western forms of Vipassana or Insight Buddhism don't practice much worship or veneration. Also more specifically secular Buddhism is a contemporary form of practice that doesn't generally involve such worship. I discuss a bit of this in my video here: th-cam.com/video/KDVzuAWj7CU/w-d-xo.html
Abidhamma is one of the three Pitaka. The literal meaning of Abi = unique, extreme, beyond, and etc. Dhamma = phenomena. Basically Abidhamma explain how mind and matter work which is usually not apparent with naked eye or usual experience. Abidhamma explaining how matter works is a bit similar to quantum physics.
Will you make also a video on Pudgalavada? The interesting thing is that is as old as theravada and was the biggest sect in India but now is lost. Also it was a bit different than other Theravada sects.
Yes they are an interesting sect. Had they not disappeared with the disappearance of Buddhism in India they might be around today. That said, distinguishing them from other forms of Buddhism gets deep into the weeds. I’m not sure I entirely understand it myself. If I can get round to understanding it and feeling like I can make it simple enough to do here I will. But probably not right away. 🙂
@@DougsDharma Maybe you know the links allready : www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Pudgalavada%20Buddhism_Priestely.pdf www.iep.utm.edu/pudgalav/ I have just read the second, the article but not the book yet. English is not my first language, which makes ist even more difficult ; )
Check out my earlier video on controversies over clothing and food: th-cam.com/video/r5oncPD7jKo/w-d-xo.html . Some Mahāyāna schools practice vegetarianism, others don’t. Theravāda in general is not vegetarian.
Thank you for this great video! Just one question. Is it true that according to the Theravada school only monastics can attain Nirvana? I can't remember the source but I read that lay people can't become an arahant. Only monks and nuns have a practice that can lead to that. Is there any foundations for this thought 🤔 thank you and once again wonderful video. 👍😉💙💜💚
You're very welcome Ricardina! The early texts don't really say for sure about this, but it's generally believed that laypeople can attain nibbāna, however if they do they basically will end up living a monastic lifestyle since they will have given up all attachments. So long as a layperson wants to remain "attached" to family, home, business, etc., they will not attain nibbāna.
Thanks for the question Daniela, gosh it's a huge one. I'm not sure I can answer, it would take a lot of deep research to know. Is there something in particular you're looking for or do you have some idea you want to get across?
Hi Doug, nice video, put a smile on my face after a hard day at work. Im trying to get to know secular and theravada buddhism a bit better. Which works would a Theravada lay follower start with?
Hi poikkiki, glad it was entertaining! It’s hard to choose books on Theravada without knowing your interests. I have one linked in the description box below the video. You may also want to check out these videos. Books on early Buddhism: th-cam.com/video/UGNfiyRMkgw/w-d-xo.html Key texts of Buddhism: th-cam.com/video/dYNWDFOBtQg/w-d-xo.html
Doug's Secular Dharma Thanks! Im very interested in books that complement my meditation practice (that are not centered around meditation in itself). I think Ill start with the suttas, in particular the recollection by Bhikkhu Bodhi :)
Search Ven Robina Courtin in you tube, her sermons are good, and I would recommend them. As a Buddhist of Sri Lankan origin we have a lot of material and am very great full for that, I only wish more and more English translations are done to reach and heal more people.
There is one small error I noted in the video. The first appearance of the word “theravāda” actually occurs in the Ariyapariyesana Sutta (MN 26), but it is in an entirely different context than that found in later usage. It is in the context of the (non-Buddhist) belief systems of Gotama’s teachers Alāra Kālāma and Uddaka Rāmaputta, before Gotama reached awakening. FYI! 🙂
Also, if you're interested check out my new free-mini course and other courses on early Buddhism, at onlinedharma.org/
(If this doesn’t mean anything to you then just walk on by. It’s for geeks). 🤓
OK another even smaller one: in their recent online course on Pāli, Richard Gombrich and Alex Wynne (who I assume are on all fours about this, though it was said by Alex) claim that Pāli *was* the language of the Buddha. I believe this remains a controversial claim however.
Nice Video! The 'thera' refers specifically to the monks at the first council, who compiled the doctrine (vada), i.e. the Pali Canon.
Thanks pamokkha, I assume you’re talking about the citation in the video. Certainly makes sense that the usage would refer to the first council, though I was assuming it also referred to the elders who transmitted it from the first council down through the intervening years.
Just to add, here is a quote from the Dipavamsa: "By these and other saintly Theras who had fulfilled their duties, to the number of five hundred, was the collection of the Dhamma and of the Vinaya made; because it was collected by the Theras, it is called the doctrine of the Theras (theravada)".
I am from Sri Lanka and I learn more about a philosophy of my country from a very wise foreign man thousand miles away. Some monks here need to follow you as a resource person. I am really taken back by your knowledge of Oriental teachings.
Thanks again Osanda, glad to hear you're getting something out of these videos! 🙏
So true
Exceptional video. I literally cant criticize it much at all. Im from SL born into the heart of Theravada Buddhism and I highly recommend this mans content.
Very kind of you to say CCTV. 🙏
Me too
As a Theravadin my self, i learned a lot form this video. Thank you :)
You're very welcome Kjetil, there is so much to learn. 🙏
@@DougsDharma Yes so agree :) I seen my self as a buddhist for 20 years, and every day i wake up and find i am still a beginner in the understanding of every aspect of the teaching. Its a journy for life
Well said Kjetil. It is a life path.
Thank you for your practice
I really appreciate how you could condense so much material in 19 minutes, yet without being superficial. Thank you.
You're very welcome Roberto. It's a huge topic but I did my best.
I love the Pali chants from the Theravada monks, it brings me so much peace 😌🙏🏽
Yes chants can be very calming, thanks MIRCAT.
I've practiced and studied Buddhism for over 30 years, first Mahayana, and later Theravada. I was fortunate enough to purchase most of the Tipitaka (in English) while living at a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, for a few months in 2000. This video is exceptionally well done, and added to my understanding. I lived in Thailand for almost a year in 2010, and the contrast between the two countries is substantial.Thailand very much mixes Buddhism, Hinduism and local animism, in my opinion. Thank you very much for your clear and concise explanation. As you pointed out, strict adherence to the monastic rules is not universal. In Bangkok, I saw men dressed in monk robes, smoking cigarettes. I was led to believe they were rural monks. Obesity also appears to be a somewhat common health issue in both countries. The Buddha did not emphasize exercise, I suppose because it stimulates attachment to the body.
Thanks Paul. I think obesity would have been unlikely in the early sangha since they were only supposed to take a single meal per day and walk many miles on alms round. They probably would have had to do physical labor of some kind as well to build and maintain the structures that they lived in and shared. In that situation I suppose recommending exercise probably seemed unnecessary, but nowadays less so!
Paul, I think Buddha did emphasize exercise in terms of walking meditation. Obesity can be considered as a result of overindulging in some ways in cases that your metabolism is normal.
Thanks, very enlightening, hope I get to travel to these places one day.What's your opinion in regards to monks consuming meat dishes ,either Theravada or Mahayana ? I am perplexed as to why most buddhist monks eat such"sentient beings". I would have thought it to be an act of violence in the strictest term.
Actually monks living in rural areas are more buddhist than ones living in urban areas (in sri lanka)
There are so many variants of Theravadan Buddhism in Thailand. Next time, if you come to Thailand, look for Thai Forrest Traditional Buddist monastries led by venerable ajarn Mun. The website accesstoinsight provides English info for this school (if you may not know). This is probably the closest thing to the monastries in the ancient time when the Buddha still taugh people. Obesity or whatever health issue is from the Karma. If it should happen, it will happen. No matter what.
Hey, i loved the video, it’s really nice to see foreigners outside of Asia take an interest in Buddhism.
But anyway, for a little backstory, as a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist, what we learnt was that there were events in ancient times called “Dharma Sangaayana”
Sangaayana is a Sinhalese term and it literally meant just sitting down and discussing Buddhism and it’s values and how to progress. So as far as we know, there’s been 4 main discussions and 3 of them were in India while the 4th was here in Sri Lanka.
Each of them has its own, very interesting backstories and I encourage you all to check them out [for example, the very first one was held roughly 3 months after the Buddha’s passing, due to some crap that was spewed by a “monk” called Subadra right after the Buddha passed]
But the one that shows the split between Theravada and Mahayana groups was the 2nd one. A group of monks in India went around saying that a list of 10 unsuitable acts that was accepted in Buddhism at that time is actually false and those acts should be accepted.
This caused quite a confusion and a sangaayana [discussion] was held by a large number of senior monks to discuss this. The discussion lasted some amount of months and ultimately it was decided that those 10 acts were actually unacceptable and the monks who insisted, and kept on insisting, that they were acceptable were expelled.
These monks then journeyed to East Asia and spread the word of their “changed, new and improved” Buddhism, and that is what is now known as Mahayana Buddhism.
Yes, thanks hhh xngh, you're talking about the Buddhist councils. As I understand it the various traditions preserve different histories of how many councils there were, when they took place, and what happened in them. So it's tough to know precisely what to believe, and it's an open item of research as to the history of these councils.The first council is relatively uncontroversial however, though it likely did not take precisely the form as depicted in the Vinaya.
I think the mahayanas first went to the deccan and kashmir before leaving the subcontinent. It traveled to south east via coromandal and deccan and to china through kashmir and silk road
Your explanations are very clear and concise. Your narration is very well put together and easy to understand. Well done putting into laymen's terms a topic that can often get very esoteric. Wishing you happiness.
Thanks so much for the kind comment Aaron. I'm glad you're finding the videos worthwhile. 🙏
I'm so excited to have come across your channel and appreciate this quick overview of Theravada Buddhism. I'm second generation Cambodian American and have been taken to the temple quite often as a little girl, but never really understood the traditions and rituals (for many reasons), and quite frankly, never had an interest until recently. Now I practice more often and go to the local temple more frequently. Now that I understand a little bit about the traditions, I find the practice beautiful and brings me so much joy and happiness in my life and grateful to have re-connected with it . Look forward to binging on the rest of your videos!
That’s very cool Jen, thanks for letting me know! I hope you enjoy your binge watching. 🙂
Me too.
The two missionaries who were sent to Sri Lanka were none other than Emperor Ashoka's eldest son Mahinda and eldest daughter Sanghamitta. Actually, it was group of monks not just two; the group of monks also included three of Mahinda's nephews. Mahinda was the heir to the throne of Ashoka's empire but he rejected the throne and embraced Buddhism.
Yes that’s quite right Charles, at least such is the story that comes down to us and so far as I know there is no reason to doubt its veracity. Thanks!
You are correct, Metta Metta .
He is not a king he was an emperor who ruled the entire indian subcontinent etc.
There's inscription in amravathi region that 14 lakh or 1.4 million monks from nagarjunakonda region moved to srilanka they're said to be real thervada Buddhist that we know today. Infact sinhala language is developed because of them.
We don't have any proof for mahindra and sangamitta it's only mentioned in 5th century mahavama of srilanka, and it obvious they're written with certain agenda. No Indian original sources regarding ashoka never mentioned any mahindra or sangamitra. So very much possible that story was made up for some nationalistic reasons or to show that their Buddhism is authentic.
@TinTin Mahindra and sangamitra is a lie no Indian Buddhist text mention them not even ashokavadhana not even ashoka own inscriptions. Probably srilankan text exaggerated their histroy books and worte false stories for sense of pride.
@TinTin yes its a mythical story we need to be serious when talking about history. Ramayana is epic. Indian Buddhist text like ashokvadhana are far older and authentic also ashoka inscriptions himself were discovered only after British so they're not just protected but also give us real info about mauryan empire. Many countries have such false claims that Buddha visited them, ashoka visited they're just exaggerations with no evidence not even mauryan inscriptional evidence so we can't take them as truth anymore.
Love it! I remember requesting this months ago and the result is great :) You handled the complexity well 👍
Thanks Jer! Glad you found it useful. 🙏
Thank you so much for this! After attending my mother's 100 day memorial service, some regulars of temple recommended me to do more research here! Thanks for being an avenue for me to get back to my roots.
You’re very welcome Tiffany. Glad you found it useful! 🙏
Thank you so much Doug. I am getting into buddhism and you have been of great help for me.
You're very welcome Rafael!
thanks so much for these videos, Doug! I've been binging em. I was raised in an intensely evangelical Christian home, but I've always desired to know my ancestors' religion/spiritual beliefs. However there is very little real information available about the Hopi Native American tribe's practices, BUT one thing I do know and have known is that my ancestors (and some of my family now) believed in a very remarkably similar concept to the hindu and esoteric buddhist concept of "chakras" or energy centers. The more I looked into it, the more I saw so many similarities between my people's traditional beliefs and the ancient religions of southeast/central asia. Considering the fairly strong evidence that my ancestors migrated from Asia, I feel it's plausible that our traditional spiritual practices are actually related to modern Hinduism and esoteric buddhism, albeit distantly due to the vast changes of climate, culture, environment and language. It's an interesting thought, anyway, and one hardly studied at all. Thanks again for your very informative and comprehensive videos!!
You're very welcome Polimana! 🙏🙂
I like every of your clips. Thank you, Dough. I am Thai Theravada Buddhist.
You’re very welcome Phanasa Hansantiporn. Thank you for watching. 🙏
You make high quality educational videos for the Dhamma, much merit to you !!!
Thanks Sam, be well my friend. 🙏
Thank you Doug. I've only recently discovered your videos. They're very interesting, clear, and informative.
Glad to hear it mossbanksy, you’re very welcome!
Thanks for the history and, BTW, I appreciate it when you "geek out" -- that's the really interesting stuff!
Glad you enjoy it! 😄😄
Very helpful. I've recently done some exploring into the Buddhist faith and this video was very insightful. Thanks!
You’re very welcome Louis, thanks for watching and commenting!
As a Sri Lankan Buddhist, I would like to say that there is no Buddhist faith. We learn and we follow "buddha dharshnaya". It is a kind of philosophy. That will lead us to " nirvana" eventually. If you are interested in Buddhism I would like you to visit Sri Lanka.
Hello, Doug! I've watched your channel for a long time and this is my first time in the chat. I've noticed that most western monks in the Theravada tradition are usually very erudite and really understand the original texts that are in Pali.....But they are quite well read and educated in western lit, science and particularly etymology. I own several copies of Bhikku Bodi's wonderful translation and commentaries on the Pali Sutta's. I just thought I'd throw out my observations to you, as you're a great communicator on all things Buddhist. I'm 56 going on 57 so this is all old hat to me, though when I was younger I read Christmas Humphries, the Dalai Lama and a whole host of Buddhist writers, both east and west. It's only been recently that I've actually been wrapping my head around Theraveda, so here I am. Ok, take care and yes, this site is a great resource for all things "Buddhist". Cheers!
Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re finding the channel worthwhile! 🙏
Thank you so much for this video! I've gone through so many denominations of Christianity but I'd like to learn more about the teachings of the Buddha. He was a great and wise man!
You’re very welcome DeFyYing, I agree! If you want to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings take a look at the videos on my site. If you want a general intro to Buddhism you can also check out this playlist: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjpRP1nwugCGAJF15oPbBLv.html 🙏
Try "Access to Insight"
I'm happy on your great choice of the Buddhism. It shows the correct path for all. Namo buddhaya.
tricycle.org/beginners/
You are a true educator. Just subscribed.
🙏😊
Theravadan here, very well made thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏼
My pleasure 😊
This was a wonderful breakdown of the origins of Theravada. Well done!
My pleasure Sachi! 🙏
I am from Sri Lanka.Thank you so much.May triple jem bless you.
🙏😊
I just read all of the comments, and having studied Buddhism at the undergraduate level 5 years ago (at a university), I think you are absolutely correct in repeatedly pointing out that no one can know, with absolute certainty, what transpired 2 millennia ago. The records are obviously incomplete, and human bias has been inserted into all forms of Buddhism over the centuries. I used to believe that Islam destroyed Buddhism in India, but having read into it, I see the situation is far more nuanced and open to debate. It seems to be human nature to want a simple explanation for things that are overwhelmingly complex. The ego is very skilled at producing views and agendas.
That's right Paul. I think also there are different levels at which we can teach. It's sort of like a fractal situation, when you look from 20,000 feet it looks one way, and it's perfectly fine to teach that way, but when you get down to ground level it looks quite different. Newtonian mechanics works at the ordinary level, but not at the level of the very small or very fast. When you get deeper then you see more nuances and realize that there's a lot we really don't know, but we make our best guesses at.
@Aish Ick Chowdhury I think Buddhism survived long after the end of Mauryas or Sungas. Guptas were very well known to promote buddhism through out India. I think Buddhist practices degenerated in India, particularly after Nagarjuna and couple that with revival of Hinduism and basic assimilation of Buddhist practices into Hinduism - especially extra importance given to non-violence and vegeterianism - buddhism as a separate religion became redundant and absorbed into Hinduism.
@@DougsDharma It may also be a fetter of views to contemplate and debate history too much, as it could distract a person away from what is essential . . topics that are essential are said to all fall in the category of The Four Noble Truths.
- The fact that there is stress.
- The cause of stress.
- The end of stress.
- The path to end the cause of stress.
I recently listened to an audio recorded about a Sutta titled "A Fetter of Views", and hope that this comment is beneficial.
Thanks for the great introduction. A few issues I wish to add. Before Theravada, the school(s) which were using Pali canon as their authentic sacred texts are called Theriya (representative of the Elders), and this was how Theravada came to be known later. And then the Pali Chronicles produced in Sri Lanka and Pali commentaries also used another term to refer to the Theriya school, called Vibhajavada or the school of division/analysis. This analytical school was recognized by the extant Sarvastivada literature as belonging to Theriya school, but the specific doctrines ascribed to it don't seem to match the doctrines conserved by today's Theravada. Also, despite the major spiritual ideal is to become a Sravaka-Buddha or Arhat, the Theravada school has also had its own Bodhisatta path (vow) of ten perfections (parami) that's elucidated in some of their important texts like Buddhavamsa, Jataka and cariyapitaka, though this path was generally regarded as a very tedious, rarely traveled one deserved to very exceptional aspirants, and much of the path do not seem to share with those of Mahayana Buddhism that tries to showcase it as a path for everyone. Part of the disparity is due to the differing definitions and qualities what a "Buddha" is.
Yes, thanks Hendrick!
Love the geeking out
Ah cool! 😄
Not even remotely geeking out too much! I love this kind of stuff... so interesting! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like the little-bit of Indian music at 11:53! Great commentary as always.
Thanks David! 🙏
New subscriber here.. from Thailand :)
Great, glad to hear Teep009!
Thanks for this concise and informative video! History of Buddhism is maybe my favourite subject! 😊
Yes it is super interesting, but complicated! 🙂
Doug's Dharma yes absolutely, that’s why its great with some concise rundowns, saw the Mahayana, ready for the history of zen now :)
Hi Dough! You're doing a great job!!! Anyway there're 2 things that I noted which needs to be clarified. Venerable Ananda Maitreya thero(1896-1998) was not a british monk, ven thero was a Sri Lankan theravada buddhist monk. And 'The Visuddhimagga' is like the 'Attakatha' (detailed but summarized explanation) of the whole thripitaka. We as Sri Lankan theravada buddhists see not a simple deviation within visuddhimagga from the thripitaka. Could you please point out any such thing as you mentioned in the video?
Thanks very much!!!
Hello Maithri, and you’re very welcome! As to your points, the British monk was Ananda Metteyya (1872-1923). As to the Visuddhimagga, one difference between the presentation of dhamma there and in the suttas has to do with metta itself, which in the Visuddhimagga is directed towards oneself first and then towards certain specific people. In the suttas this is never done.
@@DougsDharma That is my bad!!! I'm sorry about that(about the ven thero) Anyway, with the second matter, In the visuddhimagga, it doesn't mean to direct metta towards one's self as part of metta exercise. It is done just as some sort of affirmation and proof. (something like warming up before the exercise) In the visuddhimagga itself, ven Buddhaghosha thero has written "Yes, it is true that there is no such metta meditation so as to direct metta towards one's self in suttas, but there is no conflict either by if someone is doing so. In the suttas, metta is described as a samadhi meditation. It is the exercise.It is one of the samatha meditation karmasthana to attain arpana samadhi(dyana). Here in visuddhimagga, directing metta towards one's self is not done to attain samadhi. Furthermore it is absolutely impossible to attain dyana by doing so. But the very reason to start with doing metta towards one's self is just as an affirmation and proof(I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure of the english term I'm using here, my english is not the best😐. But I think those words do the justice) of what we're doing" i.e directing metta towards others is coming wholeheartedly rather than just chanting the words on texts. In fact, doing metta to self is limited to maximum of 10-12 times before starting the exercise. Additionally, Lord Buddha has also taught that "There is no other being or other body for each individual who is pleasant and favourable than own selves" and hence it is imperative to direct loving kindness towards others just the way you do to yourself! You'll find some relevant suttas in "Sanyutta Nikaya, Kosala Sanyuttaya"
Thank you!
I'm so much more confused than I was before I watched this video. Lol It is because I have no frame of reference for the different schools of Buddhism as I am very new to Buddhism. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. 🙏
😄Sorry JP, check out this video on the three major schools of Buddhism, it might clear up some confusions for you: th-cam.com/video/FAazFDC8m6M/w-d-xo.html
Great Channel! Much appreciated
Thanks for the comment!
Love your videos Doug!
Thanks Peter! 🙏
No prob Doug! Would you recommend any books on Buddhist history?
Big topic Peter! You might want to start by checking out some of the books I suggested on early Buddhism, several include discussion of later material as well: th-cam.com/video/UGNfiyRMkgw/w-d-xo.html
One can say Pali is Theravada Buddhist language. : because it is only found in Theravada Buddhists text: no ethnic is using as their language now .
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was credited with reforming the Theravada teachings and practices in Sri Lanka in the 19th centruy (I'm sure that you know this Doug). I just mention this as more background. I became interested in practicing a a secular form of Buddhism based on Theravada after spending a week in Sri Lanka in 1990.
In a world of more money,work, technology, Buddhism teach us a way to be contend and live life peacefully.
Indeed so CA. It can make a real difference.
Good job Doug!
Thank you Nadeeka! 🙏
Nice to see you , I m also Theravada Buddhism from Burma . I forget and don't care about Buddhism between 18 and 27 year old . But When James Scope discover there is many Multiverse present not only Universe .and then ,I remember metta chanting include the words that is (Ananda Sakkyarwala ) Ananda=Uncountable Sakkyarwala= Universe .Really Amazing and How our religion is fully right . And then start to learn Vipassana Meditation.🙏🙏🙏
Nivanna is for me , that is completely liberation from Uncountable Multiverse .
🙏🙂
I would be interested in knowing more about what you mentioned very briefly concerning the difference between the village monastics who focused more on the texts and the forest monastics and focus more on meditation.
It's a good question Matthew. I'd like to know more about it as well, and if I can find anything particularly interesting and substantive I might make another video. It's a distinction that most recently is used in places like Thailand to distinguish between the forest dwellers (like Ajahn Chah) and the city based sangha. 🙂
I love learning about Buddhism but do you need a certain school or way of teaching when being a Buddhist? Do you have any advice how to navigate being a Buddhist in a country were Buddhism isn’t popular?
Hi o smyth07 and thanks for the questions. You certainly don’t need to belong to any particular school of Buddhism to practice, though it may make it easier and less confusing at least to start with one that resonates with you and work from there. I wouldn’t worry too much about ‘being a Buddhist’, instead focusing on practice. With information from the internet and some books you can practice well anywhere, though having a sangha can be a problem in many parts of the world. If you can’t find one nearby that you like, consider online options or look for local meditation/MBSR teachers who may run meditation classes informally.
I think the best method for learning Buddhism is from books.The most important book you must read is tipitaka. try in this site g.co/kgs/NZkb9a
Thank You Doug's Secular Dharma.
i became interested in Thervada about 20years ago when i stumbled onto a tiny bit of information saying that Theravada Buddhism recognized nature spirits, tree spirits and even fairies. I have never found more information on this since.
Any sources i could explore on it would be great, if anyone could recommend anything that might point me in the right direction, my nature spirit heart would be delighted.
in Sanskrit Budh is Mercury;
"dark like the bud of millet, of unequalled beauty, gentle and agreeable".
Buddha- an incarnation of Mercury.
the color green of the heart chakra.
compassion being the highest intellect
Yes, so far as I know traditional Theravāda follows the model of the early texts in this. The early texts do talk about all kinds of deities and supernatural creatures. However it is important to keep in mind that these are not considered central to the path. For more on this see my video on Buddhism and atheism: th-cam.com/video/QOQiZbAPtW4/w-d-xo.html . Also the notion of "chakras" in this context is a later addition, it is not found in the early texts.
Thank You. i am familiar with major deities and demi gods, but not the tree spirits or fairies.
I love the geeking out aspect of this video. 🙏
😄 Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for this knowledge!
My pleasure!
Siddhartha was born to parents of the Vedic religion to kashtriya family in Lumbini, on the border of Nepal and India-present-day Nepal. Buddha spent his career, attained enlightenment, or achieved moksha in India. Namo Buddhaya 🙏
Vedic religion ,,,prove it??
I am Indian Buddhist. My great grandfather were converted to Buddhism during Dr.Ambedkars Buddhist Conversion Day. And Dr. Ambedkar called the new Buddhism as Navayana Buddhism, but he used many theories from Theravada Buddhism like Pali canon to write the holy text for newly converted Buddhists. In wikipedia it is written that Navayana Buddhists of India, dont believe in four noble truths,rebirth, kamma which is wrong and should be edited. Navayana is a name of Buddhist movement, it is not a new school of Buddhism.
Thanks G. Kapil for your message!
Well its bad fortune that some of Nayana Buddhist only read Buddha and his religion written by ambedker...... Ambedkar really never introduced practical Buddhism in that book , and for more misfortune he totally neglected meditation and other trance state phenomenon.. he miss translated rebirth.....
I do not know why such great man done this ..may be Becoz of that time Indians are engaged in just philosophical debate about supernatural things... Its clear that ambedker never Belive in those things neither he has clear understanding of it ...any way new Buddhist must read suttapitika..
And its S N Goenka Becoz of his Buddhist practice start gating more attention in India
I beleive one day Buddhism again flourish in India.....
@@mrunalmhatre9295 but we cannot ignore work done by ambedkar
he is pride...
@Contra Bodhi hi+
Forgive my ignorance on the subject, as it is why I'm here lol but at 6:45 you mentioned briefly that there are very few nuns in the monastic side of Buddhism and I was just wondering why you think that is. If monks are so critical to what Theravada is; does this mean women aren't as prone as men to practice it? Or do they tend to practice one of the other schools more so, like Mahayana or Zen or not at all? As I am a woman, I am curious to know their role as differentiated from the men's roles. If this is too much to answer here, I'd love to see a video on the subject from you! Thank you so much by the way. I've enjoyed very much watching your videos!
That's a great question Andie but a bit too big for me to get into here! 😀 I have an earlier video on women in Buddhism that will answer some of your questions: th-cam.com/video/864ksDOZwXk/w-d-xo.html . If you have any additional ones let me know!
@@DougsDharma Thank you so much! I will definitely check it out :)
Thank you very much. Very informative.
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.
Zen school (or sudden teaching) is dedicated to awaken or enlighten their disciple. It means to let their disciple find their eighth consciousness (Alaya consciouness, buddha nature, ETC). After that we can really learn the true teaching of buddhaism, if not you just pick up a lot of words. For example, after awakening, you know what is Nirvana, what is the relationship between life/death and Nirvana.
Thanks for that Richard. I actually did another video about the difference between sudden and gradual enlightenment: th-cam.com/video/p0tI1ZjiIQ4/w-d-xo.html
I can confirm I was in shock to read about what is practiced in a monastery funded by Thailand gouvernement at least here in France… because of the rules I thought had to be observed by the monks to be considered Theravada.
Are you familiar with the 1st Schism of the Sangha at the 2nd Great Convocation? I've been told by senior practitioners that the deal breaker was a Sthaviran proposal to abandon the 10th precept 😮 and that that was the root of Mahayana. Thoughts?
I haven't heard that one Benjamin. The question would be what the evidence is. 🙂
Thankz, Doug!
My pleasure! 🙏
@@DougsDharma It's a pleasure to hear your voice and absorb your ideas, master. Life is very difficult for me, without a job, with a beautiful son to raise, I'm full of information in my head that Brazil doesn't know how to value, I'm broke, my family doesn't respect my philosophical skills... but still I'm firm and strong in the search for wisdom and love. Thank you very much, Doug. You help me maybe more than you imagine, although you can help me more than I imagine.
(it seems to me that..., there is a difference between transforming and transcending. The transformation takes place through the lens of materialism: one thing ceases to be what it is to be something else. Transcendence is changing what it is, being something new, but keeping what it was before. Of course these are logically different things. The first happens because of objective Separation. The second because of the subjective Absolute. Even though we are enlightened by the path of Brahma, we will still be part of the Absolute, and we will not be separate. Illumination and light are the same thing: principle and attribute of the Absolute that makes itself exist in the Infinite for those who are still materialistic or have matter in form of being. Being enlightened is the Wisdom of feeling the pain to the point of not letting it become suffering due to ignorance, and not thinking that you will never feel pain again because you became enlightened. You are not separate, you are still absolute, only now for the release that takes place in understanding the Denial itself (of the egoistics objects in itself on subjective) and not of the Self.)
I think the western people can learn a lot of things about Buddhism from your videos and courses. A lot of western people still don't know much about Buddhism. Thank you so much for the videos.
You’re very welcome Suresh! Yes I think there is a lot to learn, which is what keeps me making videos. 🙂
@@DougsDharma . Thank you so much for taking your valuable time to reply me. I don't mind even you don't reply to me, because maybe I'll comment to your videos regularly.
Suresh don’t worry, I’ll only comment if I have something to say! 🙂🙏
@@DougsDharma . That is good. I can understand.
Anumodana Doug 🙏
🙏🙂
Great summary!
Thanks Albert!
I live in Cambodia, a south east asian country and being a Theravada buddhist myself, I can say that here , in my country, many so called Theravada buddhist monks don't really follow the real Theravada disciplines. Just like other south east asian countries like Thailand, they kinda mix with Bramanism... while buddhist followers mostly missee the true value of the teaching and regard it more as a tradition that they should follow... We have 90% of our population as buddhists but if you ask them what the goal of buddhism is, or what is right and wrong, they wont know,,, very sad. They just follow along
I think this is a feature with all religions and belief systems: most people adopt them just because they are culturally expected to, and then they don't really follow them.
They do teach Theravada it just most of them can't obey the Theravada rules and don't know the purpose of it.
Valuable content.
Thanks Shifa!
I haven't looked into it much but i was watching a video about ocean levels since the last ice age and I think there may have been a land bridge to sri lanka up until about 500 years ago. Not super relevant but interesting to know.
I am glad that you pointed out one of the most crucial difference between Theravada & Mahayana: *Lineage of ordination.* Not too many westerners even Asians are aware of this Theravada tradition.
It may not sound very important but in ancient time this was very important because this lineage of ordination can be traced back directly to the disciples of Buddha and ultimately Buddha Himself. And why is this important? *Authenticity of Dharma.*
Thanks for your thoughts Charles. Mahāyāna schools also care about lineage and authenticity of dharma, although they do see them differently.
As I emphasized the lineage of ordination in Theravada, in my previous comment that it can be traced back to the "thera" or elders or the direct disciple of Buddha and finally Buddha himself. _Where does the Mahayana lineage of ordination can be traced back to? Most probably to the monk who created this schism in Buddhism during the second century_
There's a big question mark *(?) as to the authenticity of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. To begin with, the schism was started by the monks who were Brahmans. They wanted to change and incorporate their Hindu philosophy and doctrine into Pali Canon when the elders refused that's when the Mahayana sect started. Well this will be completely a different topic to debate on.
Thanks for your thoughts Charles. No doubt the sutras upon which much Mahāyāna dharma is based are apocryphal. That said, the claim they make that those late sutras give the correct interpretation of the Buddha dharma is subtle. Check out the video I just posted on the history of the Mahāyāna: th-cam.com/video/wi_hqpIu-vk/w-d-xo.html
After getting to know real Teravada Buddhism ,even born as a Teravada Buddhist in Sri Lanka, since lack or real Dhamma teachers in the whole country ,the pure True Dhamm ,what Our Great Lord Buddha has preached was not been taught.
Found a true 1.5 years ago a Teacher who has learnt and unerstood the Tripitakaya and Attakatha which has 114 odd books written down in pali (dead language). Which has been brought down according to our Lord Buddhas instructions ,even with regards to the language that been used , pali since been a dead language ,it will not evolve with time so the real Dhamma will last untill people Believe and practice precepts etc.
According to our (teachings of Lord Buddha ) Tipitakaya and Attakatha it is mentioned that the
" True real teachings are contained (true Dhamma) , is only in "TERAVADA Buddhism " ,and also it means "High priests/monks " like monks who attained Arahath !
So all the others are not Real Buddhism or real Teachings of Lord Buddha .
As mentioned emperor Ashok once he understood his position in Teravada Buddhism and his duties what was expected of him by our Maha Arahath Kashyapa Thero,While the emperor was trying to gather all the relics of our Lord Buddha to one place. He found the message that been kept centuries prior by the great Kashyapa Maha Arahath thero to the emperor Ashok ,in a gold canon which indicated that he will spread this Gauthama Buddha's , Universal Truth [the mechanism of Animal
,Awakasha ,Sanskara Worlds and how to stop this neverending cycle] .And when the emperor found he was delighted that he was been seen etc and was soo dissapointed that this presious true dhamma will dissappear in near future from region due to Adharmic invaders,rules and only survive until end of this Sasanaya in Sri Lanka.So he did what he had been expected to do by sending his son ,the great Maha Arahath Mihindu Thero and Sangamiththa Teraniya to Sri Lanka to establish Teravada Buddhism .
Yes to deminish Greed Anger Ignoranc,to stop the cycle ,
one has to believe with life in Our great lord Buddha , and Dhamma ,Gangha .And have to practice to start at least with five precepts again with life !Then by further studying Tipitakaya(Dhamma ) and Attakatha (meaning of Dhamma ).And armsgiving to practice (let go possession )and finally by doing Vidarshana /Vipassana meditation only ,only one can deminish Greed Anger Ignorance from its root ,that the enlightenment can be achieved!!!
No ,other Mahayana ,Zen,Thantrayana ,Vajirajaya etc can diminish Greed Anger Ignorance and attain enlightenment .They may do samatha meditation and attain super unnatural powers and dyana but not the Arahath (enlightenment ).
@@charleswey4895 This isn't actually true. For starters, the schism between the Mahasanghikas and Sthavira Nikaya was over innovations to the Vinaya; though the Theravada and Mahayana accounts differ on the precise details they both agree on this. It wasn't until later, with the debates over the fallibility of Arhats, that the disagreements moved in the direction of doctrine, but even this doesn't imply any Hindu influence on the monks. There's no evidence that the split was caused by Brahmins interpolating their previous beliefs into the canon.
And as an aside, it's a bit ride to dismiss Mahayana as merely "Hindu with a Buddhist face" without authenticity. I suggest learning about Mahayana from Mahayana sources, and come at it knowing that the majority of Mahayana monks are sincere in their desire to teach Buddhism.
My longtime understanding of being a "greater vehicle" or being a "lesser vehicle" was NOT that the "lesser vehicle" was inferior but that the "greater vehicle" was generously larger to allow the hoi paloi a way in, even if they weren't too bright or very dedicated.
That could be part of what went on, though historically my understanding is that "greater vehicle" was a designation intended to elevate the practice in a sectarian sense. That is, it was a description provided by the practitioners themselves as encompassing a greater vision of the practice.
Thank you Doug
Doug's Dharma i am currently learning a lot about Theravada Buddhism by studying their Pali Canon and listening to the Bhikkhu's Dhamma talks. However, i still cannot wrap my head around about why bhikkunis have more rules to follow than a bhikkhu. Dont get me wrong i have watched one of your video titled (Women in Buddhism) and that made me doubt about whether the pali canon which is the "nikaya's" are really what the buddha have said. Now watching this video from you i started to get more confuse about what i have gotten myself into. I personally felt like i was blindly exploring Theravada buddhism without knowing it in detail.
TL:DR I study the early buddhist text (Nikaya's), Later on found out that it talks about the differences between Bhikkhu and Bhikkhunis, Doubt my belief about Theravada Buddhist teaching, Watched your video and got more confused on what the heck i just got myself into.
Reason of me being confused about the teaching:
1.) Gender role as what different responsibilities men and women have to follow.
2.) The Ceasing and rising again of Theravada buddhism and as you mentioned the forest monastery and the urban monastery difference.
So my question to you from a scholar point of view:
1) Are the Early Buddhist text which is the Nikaya's, are they really translating what the buddha is saying.
I learnt a lot about buddhism in general with your TH-cam content and i really do appreciate if you give me a response. Thank you!
Warmess Regards,
Daren
The Nikāyas and their parallels in other languages are all we have of the Buddha. But not everything in the Nikāyas is authentic; telling the difference is a matter of scholarship and will always remain somewhat speculative and controversial, but it’s all we have. I wouldn’t worry yourself too much about unanswerable questions, what’s most important is your day to day practice.
@@DougsDharma Thank you for making it clear
Uau Doug ! Another very informative video.... Honestly I´m looking for the school that features the most of my preferences ! Thank you ....or better putten I´m looking for meditative practices that can bring me joy and satisfaction and realization... Holpe your videos can continue to help me (as so far they are doing) ... can we chat by messages ? Thank you very much !!!
You're very welcome Diogo! I'm happy to answer questions here on TH-cam ... 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂 🙏 Namo Buddhaya!
Vasubhandu (sp?) is still brought up a bit in Theravada, tho also in Soto Zen he is highly regarded as a predecessor. The Visshudimagga or Path to Perfection or of Perfection is essentially the mindfulness and meditation or practice guide in Theravada. I listen to a lot of monks from the Thai Forest Tradition and it is brought up, or at least versions of practice that are from it. It's an interesting read/skim if you can find a translation, our local University Library has one.
Yes it is a good book and very important in the Theravāda tradition.
Althought Mahayana in Vietnam is popular, but now, there are many Vietnamese convert to Theravada. And Im proud to be a Theravada Buddhist
Fantastic explanation....
Thanks Tenzin! Glad you found it useful.
Doug, bro would you make a video about 10 perfections of Theravada? Or maybe about Truthfulness only? Sorry if there is a video related to that, I searched but couldn't find it.
I have a video on Right Speech that would include truthfulness: th-cam.com/video/YfxV12gryGA/w-d-xo.html . The 10 perfections are actually a later teaching, they aren't part of early Buddhism. But I'll put it on the list for consideration. 🙂
@@DougsDharma Thanks! Are you sure? I mean I listen Thanissaro Bhikku, you probably know him, even he talks about and gives lectures about 10 Perfections, and he explicitly says that these Perfections didn't come with Mahayana and it was there in the Theravada at the beginning.
Yes, what Thānissaro is saying is that the Theravāda didn't get them from the Mahāyāna (where they are more prominent). They seem to stem from the late canonical period. They don't appear in the suttas or to my knowledge the Vinaya.
@@DougsDharma Thanks for clarifying. Do you think could a young lay man get Enlightened with following the Path and doing the work necessary, while also enjoying some worldly activities? Like having sex, having a gf, trying to earn money for his future? Thanks for advices Doug, they are helpful as always.
I wouldn't hazard a guess on that one. I can tell you what the Buddha said about that in the early texts: that is, that one basically has to be a monastic or live like a monastic to be fully awakened. But really, the most important thing is making progress along the path and finding how your life changes for the better along the way. Leave the future to itself. 🙂
I have read your replies which are clearing querries. 🙏👍
Thanks Chando.
It would be great if you could make a video on the Devas! Thanks for all you do. Metta to all
I will be coming out with one soon on that topic! 🙏
If I could ask: how would you recommend someone starting with the Pali Canon/early texts? Would it better to amass them one by one? Or perhaps getting an anthology like the "In the Buddha's Words" series?@@DougsDharma
@@jmw5160 I'd recommend a book like that first, maybe I'll do a video on this eventually.
Buddha is everywhere..! 🙏
Thanks for your comment Ajit! 🙏
no buddha is not everywhere. Buddha is gone and thats what buddhism is all about. Ending the suffering once and for all; ceasing to exist. Ending thd sansara. Only one still there is the maithree bodhisattva ; the next one to become a buddha.
there are 28 buddhas.why nobody talk about other 27 buddhas. only talk about the last buddha.why? i would like to listen all buddhas story.each buddha's story is different.i want to know about every life before human and become buddha
Many thanks for this, it’s incredibly valuable. Can you recommend the most helpful English translation of Buddhaghosa’s Visuddimagga?
It's called the Path of Purification. You should be able to find it pretty easily.
Hi Doug, have ever read "Wings to Awakening: An Anthology of the Pali Canon"?
Hi Benjamin, yes I've got a copy and have read around it. I'm familiar with Thanissaro's work. Thanks!
I am a follower of Theravada Buddhism but my views on why monks are not allowed to make food or money is to remove their desire for wanting things. Buddha has stated that unless you have no desire/greed, you will be able to achieve nirvana. Correct me if I am wrong though because I am still learning and there’s a long way for me to learn in the future.
Well it's a bit more complex than that, but yes these are ways to remove us from sense desire. That said, the Buddha himself would have been enlightened and yet he also followed the same rules.
@@DougsDharma Buddha did have desire because he was kept from knowing everything outside the palace but when he went to the forest, he already had no more desire. Because he was able to comprehend the meaning of life, he is trying to help his sons (sangha) and of course all beings.
Hi Doug, I watched two vidoes of yours and they are excellent. I am a beginner to Buddhism and am learning a lot from your videos. I did wonder about the various paths to Buddhism and am finding some of the answers in your videos. One question: Buddha said not to kill any life. However, not all buddhists are vegetarians. Is there a branch of buddhism that still practices vegetarianism? Another q: I understand is buddhism is more of a way of life than just going to the temple, rituals, prayers etc. What is your view on this?
Hi Cleo Mom and thanks for the questions. As to vegetarianism it's complicated. In general Mahāyāna Buddhists are vegetarians, although many Tibetan Buddhists are not vegetarian, although they are Mahāyāna Buddhists. In general Theravādins are not vegetarians although some are. I did a video on the early history of this here: th-cam.com/video/r5oncPD7jKo/w-d-xo.html . As to your second question, that's a big one too. Yes, in my opinion Buddhism is a way of life, a practice that we live by, rather than just a set of rituals. I've done videos on several of these topics before in case you are interested. One on the Buddha's views of prayer is here: th-cam.com/video/HYfYXYbZE20/w-d-xo.html . 🙂🙏
@@DougsDharma Reg. vegetarianism and Buddhism, your remarks reg. Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism etc makes sense. I have heard that the reason that a large number vegetarians exist (or existed) in India is due to influence from King Ashoka who in turn was influenced by Buddhism. A story I have heard is after a particular war, Ashoka was hurting for the lives lost on both sides and turned to Buddhism. Since Buddha taught not to harm other living beings, King Ashoka extended that to animals as well. So when he funded the spread of Buddhism, part of the teaching was to not kill animals for food which may have influenced Mahayana Buddhism (as it came later). Just my conjecture..Again thank you for your excellent videos.
Yes thanks Cleo Mom. I have an earlier video on King Asoka if that interests you: th-cam.com/video/V4894Ug8Y3c/w-d-xo.html
@@DougsDharma And just when I was wondering who King Asoka was, you provided a link.. thank you Doug.
Hey Doug, I love your videos, I have a question that I would like you to talk about in your next video, the question being, is it possible to practice elements of zen Buddhism with Christianity, to go from eastern meditation to Hebrew meditation? I would like to draw you attention to the following video to help, standby!
Hi Jacob, I did a video awhile back on Buddhists of other religions which deals with subjects such as the ones you raise: th-cam.com/video/8wstShpo3Y8/w-d-xo.html
Hello,
Could you do an info session on the dhammakaya division of Buddhism please ?
They are a very modern variety of Buddhism, and at the moment I don't think I know enough to do a video though I might someday.
Hi Doug, have you done any videos on the revival of the bhikkhunī order?
I haven't, though I did an earlier video on women in Buddhism: th-cam.com/video/864ksDOZwXk/w-d-xo.html
Sir I have a question. Is it right to worship idols, chant or recite stanzas in Buddhism? And the correct Buddhism Theravada or Mahayana? Can I answer questions?
It can be correct in traditional practice, yes. I guess it would depend on the idol, the chant, or the stanza as to whether it would be mainstream or not.
@@DougsDharmaThen sir what should I do as a Buddhist?
@@Sawo-500 It's recommended (not demanded or commanded) that you develop skillful qualities . . and all skillful qualities are said to fall under the :
- FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS.
But it takes prior development to value those truths, the first step is Generosity, and the second step is sense restraint, followed by Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration, until all of the:
- NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH.
Is mastered, not just consecutively, but simultaneously . . if you've studied other religions, you may be shocked how detailed and literal the instructions are.
wonderful.
Thanks Riya So!
There is a very helpful monk/teacher who has literally resuscitated the "Sautrantika" school... He is Bhante Vimalaramsi.
Check him, and his very useful way of teaching and practice, out at:
www.dhammasukkha.org
And also, of course...there are many of his dhamma talks on TH-cam as well!
Enjoy!
Thanks Ārya Kśaṇa! Yes, I've referenced one or two of his videos over the years.
Great vid.
What are the main differences between Theravada and Tibetan?
Well that's not a quick or easy question to answer. Tibetan Buddhism is generally speaking a blend of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism. So if you see my videos on those two schools you will get some sense of it. My playlist on the history of Buddhism is here: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjn4gXp46Q8cMPB0t9FAH0C.html it includes those videos. 🙂
India is soo happy with the Dalai Lama in India❤. Long live holiness Dalai Lama.
It is interesting that Ashoka promoted buddhism, yet apparently the suttas were not written down during his reign. Writing them down could have saved another few hundred years of oral recitations. Maybe they were written down but didnt survive, but to me it seems unlikely that they would not spread and copy the texts had they already been written down.
Yes I've often wondered whether the first writing down of the suttas didn't occur during Asoka's reign. There is no evidence for it however so it would be sheer speculation to assume so.
Theravada is pali tripitaka with its commentaries. Greetings from sri Lanka.
Yes, and texts like Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga, at least textually speaking. There are also a lot of other local practices.
@@DougsDharma dear Doug whatever the local practice which is not going with pali tripitaka and its commentaries not theravada
Thanks Doug good discourse.
You’re very welcome frank, thanks for watching. 🙏
Thanks for story... 🙏
You're very welcome Arya!
Hi! Was wondering if you know a Buddhism that doesn't worship statues/diety's but still use the practices Buddha taught?
Well most western forms of Vipassana or Insight Buddhism don't practice much worship or veneration. Also more specifically secular Buddhism is a contemporary form of practice that doesn't generally involve such worship. I discuss a bit of this in my video here: th-cam.com/video/KDVzuAWj7CU/w-d-xo.html
Abidhamma is one of the three Pitaka. The literal meaning of Abi = unique, extreme, beyond, and etc. Dhamma = phenomena. Basically Abidhamma explain how mind and matter work which is usually not apparent with naked eye or usual experience. Abidhamma explaining how matter works is a bit similar to quantum physics.
Will you make also a video on Pudgalavada? The interesting thing is that is as old as theravada and was the biggest sect in India but now is lost. Also it was a bit different than other Theravada sects.
Yes they are an interesting sect. Had they not disappeared with the disappearance of Buddhism in India they might be around today. That said, distinguishing them from other forms of Buddhism gets deep into the weeds. I’m not sure I entirely understand it myself. If I can get round to understanding it and feeling like I can make it simple enough to do here I will. But probably not right away. 🙂
@@DougsDharma Maybe you know the links allready :
www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Pudgalavada%20Buddhism_Priestely.pdf
www.iep.utm.edu/pudgalav/
I have just read the second, the article but not the book yet. English is not my first language, which makes ist even more difficult ; )
Is vegetarianism a strict edict in Buddhism, Theravada or Mahayana ?
Check out my earlier video on controversies over clothing and food: th-cam.com/video/r5oncPD7jKo/w-d-xo.html . Some Mahāyāna schools practice vegetarianism, others don’t. Theravāda in general is not vegetarian.
You can eat meat but not kill for meat in the vinaya of theravada.
Thank you for this great video! Just one question. Is it true that according to the Theravada school only monastics can attain Nirvana? I can't remember the source but I read that lay people can't become an arahant. Only monks and nuns have a practice that can lead to that. Is there any foundations for this thought 🤔 thank you and once again wonderful video. 👍😉💙💜💚
You're very welcome Ricardina! The early texts don't really say for sure about this, but it's generally believed that laypeople can attain nibbāna, however if they do they basically will end up living a monastic lifestyle since they will have given up all attachments. So long as a layperson wants to remain "attached" to family, home, business, etc., they will not attain nibbāna.
Thank you! Yes, it makes sense. 🤗👍
Why do you believe Theravada Buddhism has thrived until today in South East Asia?
Thanks for the question Daniela, gosh it's a huge one. I'm not sure I can answer, it would take a lot of deep research to know. Is there something in particular you're looking for or do you have some idea you want to get across?
Yes, it is. All Buddhism in South East Asia countries are Theravada as being predominantly. Except Vietman
May you share on Pure Land Buddhism and Amitabha Buddha, this is sighted in Mahāyāna Buddhism. However, this is not sighted in the thervanda Buddhism?
Yes Pure Land and Amitabha Buddha are Mahāyāna teachings. I may do a video on them eventually.
so as someone fairly new to buddhism, do I need to class myself with a certain school or can I just practice on my own based on the darma?
That's totally up to you Doyle. Do whatever you feel is best for you now.
Thanks, Great Please visit Sri Lanka to learn Theravada Buddhism We have Thripitaka for it. it will be the future of Theravada Buddhism
You're very welcome Thilina, maybe someday!
Hi Doug, nice video, put a smile on my face after a hard day at work. Im trying to get to know secular and theravada buddhism a bit better. Which works would a Theravada lay follower start with?
Hi poikkiki, glad it was entertaining! It’s hard to choose books on Theravada without knowing your interests. I have one linked in the description box below the video. You may also want to check out these videos. Books on early Buddhism: th-cam.com/video/UGNfiyRMkgw/w-d-xo.html Key texts of Buddhism: th-cam.com/video/dYNWDFOBtQg/w-d-xo.html
Doug's Secular Dharma Thanks! Im very interested in books that complement my meditation practice (that are not centered around meditation in itself). I think Ill start with the suttas, in particular the recollection by Bhikkhu Bodhi :)
Great! Of course there are scores of books out by Theravāda monastics and laypeople on almost every topic, many are available for free on the web. 🙂
Search Ven Robina Courtin in you tube, her sermons are good, and I would recommend them. As a Buddhist of Sri Lankan origin we have a lot of material and am very great full for that, I only wish more and more English translations are done to reach and heal more people.
I recommend "Wings to Awakening: An Anthology of the Pali Canon"