{"id":66,"date":"2020-11-02T15:09:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T15:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/meditationkent\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2025-12-08T18:44:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T18:44:48","slug":"traditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/meditationkent\/traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please click here for Buddhist groups in Canterbury<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Buddhism<\/h3>\n

Wikipedia<\/strong> describes Buddhism<\/a> as a nontheistic religion or philosophy (Sanskrit: dharma; Pali: dhamma), that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha (“the awakened one”). According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries (BCE). He is recognized by Buddhists an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering through the elimination of ignorance and craving. Buddhists believe that this is accomplished through direct understanding and the perception of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths<\/strong>. Depending on the branch of Buddhism, the final goal could be Arahantship, Buddhahood, or rainbow body.<\/p>\n

The main traditions<\/h3>\n

and schools of Buddhism are listed here courtesy of Wikipedia and from which you will be able to find links to other resources and organisations. You may also like to browse our Resources<\/a><\/span> pages.<\/p>\n

Theravada<\/h4>\n

\"\"Therav\u0101da (Pali, literally “school of the elder monks”) is a branch of Buddhism that uses the teaching of the P\u0101li Canon, a collection of the oldest recorded Buddhist texts, as its doctrinal core, but also includes a rich diversity of traditions and practices that have developed over its long history of interactions with various cultures and communities. It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma, and is practiced by minority groups in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China. In addition, the diaspora of all of these groups as well as converts around the world practice Therav\u0101da Buddhism.<\/p>\n