Editing Theravada (section)

===Monastic orders===
[[File:Thai Buddhist monk blesses.jpg|thumb|Thai monks blessing the [[Bhumibol Adulyadej|King of Thailand]] in Wat Nong Wong, [[Sawankhalok District|Amphoe Sawankhalok]], [[Sukhothai Province|Sukhothai]], Thailand]]

Theravāda monks typically belong to a particular ''[[nikaya]]'', variously referred to as monastic orders or fraternities. These different orders do not typically develop separate doctrines, but may differ in the manner in which they observe monastic rules. These monastic orders represent lineages of ordination, typically tracing their origin to a particular group of monks that established a new ordination tradition within a particular country or geographic area.

In Sri Lanka caste plays a major role in the division into nikayas. Some Theravāda Buddhist countries appoint or elect a [[sangharaja]], or Supreme Patriarch of the Sangha, as the highest ranking or seniormost monk in a particular area, or from a particular nikaya.  The demise of monarchies has resulted in the suspension of these posts in some countries, but patriarchs have continued to be appointed in Thailand.  Myanmar and Cambodia ended the practice of appointing a sangharaja for some time, but the position was later restored, though in Cambodia it lapsed again.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
*''[[Bangladesh]]'':
** [[Mahasthabir Nikaya]]
** [[Sangharaj Nikaya]]
*''[[Myanmar]]'' (Myanmar):
** [[Dwara Nikaya]]
** [[Hngettwin Nikaya]]
** [[Shwekyin Nikaya]]
** [[Thudhamma Nikaya]]
*''[[Sri Lanka]]'':
** [[Amarapura Nikaya]] has many Sub orders including
*** Dharmarakshitha
*** Kanduboda (or Swejin Nikaya)
*** Tapovana (or Kalyanavamsa)
** [[Ramanna Nikaya|Ramañña Nikaya]]
*** Delduwa
*** [[Sri Kalyani Yogasrama Samstha]] (or 'Galduwa Tradition')
** [[Siam Nikaya]]
*** Asgiriya
*** Malwaththa
*** Rohana
*** Waturawila (or Mahavihara Vamshika Shyamopali Vanavasa Nikaya)
*''Thailand and Cambodia''
** [[Dhammayuttika Nikaya]]
** [[Maha Nikaya]]