Theravada
noun
Ther·a·va·da
ˌther-ə-ˈvä-də 
: a conservative branch of Buddhism comprising sects chiefly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia and adhering to the original Pali scriptures alone and to the nontheistic ideal of nirvana for a limited select number compare mahayana
Examples of Theravada in a Sentence
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Rooted in Brahman and Theravada Buddhist traditions, Day One is Moha Songkran, derived from the Sanskrit sangkranti, for movement or passage.
—
Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Participants in the 21-day program aim to reach the first of the four stages of enlightenment within Thai Theravada Buddhism.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
That night, two monks and a Theravada Buddhist priest conducted a chanting and blessing ceremony aboard The Jahan.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025
Though they are most comprehensively delineated in the Theravada Buddhism school of Southeast Asia, the jhanas predate the Buddha and find parallels across contemplative traditions, from Carmelite nuns to Sufi mystics.
—By Naina Bajekal / Applegate, Calif., TIME, 7 Aug. 2024
In Theravada Buddhism, these events are known as nirodha and represent an important meditative endpoint.
—Matthew D. Sacchet, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
This Pink Moon marks Bak Poya, a national holiday in Sri Lanka honoring Buddha's second visit to the island, and Theravada New Year for Theravada Buddhists.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
The sangha, as the clergy is collectively referred to in Theravada Buddhism, has historically exercised political power from behind the scenes, embodying a broad form of religious nationalism.
—William McGowan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Aug. 2012
Within these countries there is a rich diversity of traditions in Theravada Buddhism.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 31 May 2023
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Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Participants in the 21-day program aim to reach the first of the four stages of enlightenment within Thai Theravada Buddhism.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
That night, two monks and a Theravada Buddhist priest conducted a chanting and blessing ceremony aboard The Jahan.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025
Though they are most comprehensively delineated in the Theravada Buddhism school of Southeast Asia, the jhanas predate the Buddha and find parallels across contemplative traditions, from Carmelite nuns to Sufi mystics.
—By Naina Bajekal / Applegate, Calif., TIME, 7 Aug. 2024
In Theravada Buddhism, these events are known as nirodha and represent an important meditative endpoint.
—Matthew D. Sacchet, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
This Pink Moon marks Bak Poya, a national holiday in Sri Lanka honoring Buddha's second visit to the island, and Theravada New Year for Theravada Buddhists.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
The sangha, as the clergy is collectively referred to in Theravada Buddhism, has historically exercised political power from behind the scenes, embodying a broad form of religious nationalism.
—William McGowan, Foreign Affairs, 2 Aug. 2012
Within these countries there is a rich diversity of traditions in Theravada Buddhism.
—Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 31 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Theravada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Theravada. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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