Theravada Buddhism, a major branch of Buddhism, claims to have preserved the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama through the Pali Canon, which is considered the most complete early canon of Buddhist writings. Buddhism, which has existed for over 2,500 years, evolved without drastic schisms as disciples adapted to local contexts. The life of Siddhartha Gautama, including his birth and final teachings, forms the foundation of Buddhism's core tenets.

1. THERAVADA
BUDDHISM

2. BUDDHISM
Is one of the most practical among
the world’s great religious
because its belief system intends
to meet basic human needs and
solve humankind’s spiritual
problems without depending on
supernatural forces (Brown, 1975).

3. TWO MAIN DIVISION
• Mahayana Buddhism
• Theravada Buddhism

4. THERAVADA BUDDHISM
A major branch of the religion, Theravada
Buddhism (“school of the elder monks” or
“school of the ancients”) or the “Southern
School of Buddhism” draws on the collected
teachings of the oldest recorded texts of
Buddhist texts to become its central percept,
the Pali Canon. This school claims to have
preserved the original teachings of
Siddhartha with pristine purity (Clasper, 1992).

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Buddhism has been in existence for over 2,500
years and has never experienced any drastic or
radical schisms in its evolution (Toula-Breysse,
2001). As the disciples of Siddhartha Gautama
spread his word and preached throughout various
communities, there came a need for them to adapt
to local culture, politics, and economic context. The
basic tenets of both major schools of thought
originate from Siddhartha Gautama whose life has
become a constant source of inspiration to others
(Brown, 1975).

6. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
LIFE
STORY

7. LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
According to tradition, at the time when Siddhartha
was conceived, Queen Mahamaya dreamt of a
brilliant white light shining down on her from the
sky. In the rays of the light was a magnificent white
elephant with six large tusks. The elephant move
closer to the queen and melted into her body. Ten
months later, Siddhartha was born. He emerged
from the side of the queen, took seven steps, and
said, “I have been born to achieve awakening
(bodhi) for the good of the world: this is my last
birth (Coogan, 2005).”

8. LIFE OF THE BUDDHA
Tradition has it that his final
words were, “Subject to
decay are all component
things. Strive earnestly to
work out your own
salvation (Hopfe, 1983).”

9. SACRED SCRIPTURES
The early schools of Buddhism developed
their own unique body of sacred texts. Of
these, however, only the Pali Canon or the
Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three-baskets”) of
Theravada Buddhism survives (Coogan, 2005).
Preserved in the Pali language, this standard
collection of scriptures of Theravada
Buddhists is the first known, the most
conservative, and the most complete extant
early canon of Buddhist writings.

10. SACRED SCRIPTURES
Immediately after Siddhartha’s death or paranirvana, the
“First Buddhist Council” was called to order to recite the
content of his teachings or dhamma/dharma. These
teachings were initially passed down orally until they were
recorded in palm trees after five centuries during the
“Fourth Buddhist Council” held in 29 B.C.E. Five hundred
monks recited Siddhartha’s teachings as they recorded
them in palm trees.
In Pali language, the word pitaka translates as “basket”
reffering to the receptacles where the palm leaf
manuscripts were stored by the monks. The three baskets
(tipitaka/tripitaka) and their contents are summarized in:

11. SACRED SCRIPTURES
The Tipitika:
Tipitika Contents
Sutta Pitaka (Discourse) Buddha’s doctrinal discourses;
short poems to long prose
narratives about Siddhartha’s
previous lives.
Vinaya Pitaka (Discipline) Rules of discipline; stories that
illustrate Buddhist moral
principle.
Abhidhamma Pitaka (Ultimate Systematic analysis of the

12. SUMMARY
• The fundamental teachings of Buddhism are
closely tied to the life of Siddhartha Gautama
who was born between 563 B.C.E. to 480
B.C.E. in Lumbin in the foothills of the
Nepalese Himalayas.
• The Theravada sect is the school of
Buddhism that draw its scriptural inspiration
from the Pali Canon or Tipitaka/Tripitaka
(“three-baskets”).