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Theravada

(t̸her′ə vä′də)

noun

a major form of Hinayana Buddhism, which emphasizes asceticism, contemplation, and the monastic life

See Theravada in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Buddhism

A conservative branch of Buddhism that adheres to Pali scriptures and the nontheistic ideal of self-purification to nirvana and is dominant in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Origin:

Origin: Pali theravāda

Origin: : thera, an elder (from Sanskrit sthaviraḥ, old man, from sthavira-, old, venerable; see stā- in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + vāda, doctrine (from Sanskrit vādaḥ, statement, doctrine; see wed-² in Indo-European roots)

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