Theravada Buddhism

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the precepts and philosophies put forward by those interpreting Theravada Buddhism and discusses why it has become the popular form of Buddhism practiced by Westerners. It then compares Theravada Buddhism with Zen and Mahayana Buddhism (and Shin Buddhism, a form of Mahayana), discussing how they relate differently to the precepts of Buddhism.

From the Paper:

"And in fact, monks in America in Theravadan communities now do shake hands with women, and there is innovation and change on the way, Numrich writes. And in some cases, monks are married and living normal lives, because as Numrich points out on page 151, monasticism "is irrelevant to the practice of Buddhism" in America.
"The fact of normal family life for monks is certainly a good reason for Americans practicing Buddhism to heartily relate to the faith, in particular, given the widespread sexual molestation scandals that have rocked the Roman Catholic Church in America over the past few years. If celibacy appears to create carnal desires that result in little boys being sexually abused by clerics, then certainly a more normal life for monks would seem to be advisable, as Theravada Buddhism takes hold in the West."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bloom, Alfred. "Shin Buddhism in America." The Faces of Buddhism in America. Eds. Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. 32-47.
• Coleman, James William. The New Buddhism: The Western Transformation of an Ancient Tradition. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Kornfield, Jack. "Introduction." The Complete Guide to Buddhist America. Ed. Don Morreale. Boston: Shambhala, 1998. xxix-xxx.
• Numrich, Paul David. "Theravada Buddhism in America: Prospects for the Sangha." The Faces Of Buddhism in America. Eds. Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. 147-161.
• Rothberg, Donald. "Responding to the Cries of the World: Socially Engaged Buddhism in North America." The Faces of Buddhism in America. Eds. Charles S. Prebish and Kenneth K. Tanaka. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. 266-286.

More papers on Theravada Buddhism:

• Essay # 28792 : "Theravada Buddhism"
• Analytical Essay # 134049 : "The Stupa in Theravada Buddhism"
• Analytical Essay # 145201 : "Theravada Buddhism"

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