Theravada Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia

Theravada, 'the teaching of the elders', is the form of Buddhism found mainly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It relies on the Pali Canon and emphasizes the historical Buddha's teaching, monastic discipline and the ideal of the arhat, a person who attains nirvana through their own practice. Monks in saffron robes make morning alms rounds, and laypeople gain merit by giving food, keeping the Five Precepts and attending festivals such as Vesak, which marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

Theravada Buddhism became closely tied to kingship and national identity: kings sponsored monasteries, and the Sangha lent rulers legitimacy. In modern times, monks have played varied public roles, leading pro-democracy protests in Myanmar in 2007, but also, in some cases, promoting religious nationalism. This range shows how a religion focused on inner peace can still be deeply bound up with politics.