Editing Theravada (section)

=== Core teachings ===
The core of Theravāda Buddhist doctrine is contained in the Pāli Canon, the only complete collection of [[Early Buddhist Texts]] surviving in a classical [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indic language]].<ref>Bodhi, In the Buddha's words, p. 13.</ref> These basic Buddhist ideas are shared by the other Early Buddhist schools [[Basic Points Unifying the Theravāda and the Mahāyāna|as well as by Mahayana traditions]]. They include central concepts such as:<ref>See, for example, the content of introductory texts from Theravada authors such as Rahula, Walpola (1974). ''What the Buddha Taught,'' and Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). ''In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon.''</ref> 
*A doctrine of action ([[karma in Buddhism|karma]]), which is based on intention (''[[Cetanā|cetana]]'') and a related doctrine of [[Rebirth (Buddhism)|rebirth]] which holds that after death, sentient beings which are not fully awakened will transmigrate to another body, possibly in another [[Buddhist cosmology|realm of existence]]. The type of realm one will be reborn in is determined by the being's past karma. This cyclical universe filled with birth and death is named [[Saṃsāra|samsara]]. 
*A rejection of other doctrines and practices found in [[Historical Vedic religion|Brahmanical Hinduism]], including the idea that the [[Vedas]] are a divine authority. Any form of sacrifices to the gods (including [[Animal sacrifice in Hinduism|animal sacrifices]]) and [[ritual purification]] by bathing are considered useless and spiritually corrupted.<ref>Tola, Fernando. Dragonetti, Carmen (2009). ''"Brahamanism and Buddhism: Two Antithetic Conceptions of Society in Ancient India."'' p. 26.</ref> The Pāli texts also reject the idea that [[Caste system in India|castes]] are divinely ordained.
*A set of major teachings called the ''[[bodhipakkhiyādhammā]]'' (factors conducive to awakening).
*Descriptions of various meditative practices or states, namely the four [[Dhyāna in Buddhism|''jhanas'']] (meditative absorptions) and [[Dhyāna in Buddhism|the formless dimensions (''arupāyatana'').]]
*[[Buddhist ethics|Ethical training (''sila'')]] including the ten courses of wholesome action and the [[five precepts]].  
*[[Nirvana]] (Pali: ''nibbana''), the highest good and final goal in Theravāda Buddhism. It is the complete and final end of suffering, a state of perfection. It is also the end of all rebirth, but it is ''not'' an annihilation (''[[Ucchedavada|uccheda]]'').<ref>Jayatilleke, K.N. (2000). ''The Message of the Buddha.'' p. 117-122. Buddhist Publication Society.</ref>
*The corruptions or influxes (''[[Asava|āsavas]]''), such as the corruption of sensual pleasures (''kāmāsava''), existence-corruption (''bhavāsava''), and ignorance-corruption (''avijjāsava'').
*The doctrine of impermanence (''[[Impermanence|anicca]]''), which holds that all physical and mental phenomena are transient, unstable and inconstant.<ref name="DavidsStede1921p355">{{Citation |author1=Thomas William Rhys Davids|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Guw2CnxiucC|title=Pali-English Dictionary|author2=William Stede|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1921|isbn=978-81-208-1144-7|pages=355, Article on '''Nicca'''}}</ref>
*The doctrine of not-self (''[[Anattā|anatta]]''), which holds that all the constituents of a person, namely, the [[Skandha|five aggregates]] ([[Rupa (Buddhism)|physical form]], [[Vedanā|feelings]], [[Saṃjñā|perceptions]], [[Saṅkhāra|intentions]] and [[Vijñāna|consciousness]]), are empty of a self (''[[Ātman (Hinduism)|atta]]''), since they are impermanent and not always under our control. Therefore, there is no unchanging substance, permanent self, [[soul]], or essence.<ref>{{Citation |author=Richard Gombrich|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jZyJAgAAQBAJ|title=Theravada Buddhism|publisher=Routledge|year=2006|isbn=978-1-134-90352-8|page=47}}, Quote: "All phenomenal existence [in Buddhism] is said to have three interlocking characteristics: impermanence, suffering and lack of soul or essence."</ref><ref>Siderits, Mark, "Buddha", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2015 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2015/entries/buddha/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313135541/https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2015/entries/buddha/ |date=13 March 2021 }}</ref>
*The [[Five hindrances]] (''pañca nīvaraṇāni''), which are obstacles to meditation: (1) sense desire, (2) hostility, (3) sloth and torpor, (4) restlessness and worry and (5) doubt.
*The [[Brahmavihara|Four Divine Abodes]] (''brahmavihārā''), also known as the four immeasurables (''appamaññā'') 
*[[Four Noble Truths|The Four Noble Truths]], which state, in brief: (1) There is [[Duḥkha|''dukkha'']] (suffering, unease); (2) There is a cause of dukkha, mainly craving (''[[Taṇhā|tanha]]''); (3) The removal of craving leads to the end (''[[nirodha]]'') of suffering, and (4) there is a path (''magga'') to follow to bring this about.<ref>Rahula, Walpola (1974). ''What the Buddha Taught,'' pp. 16-29.</ref>
*The framework of [[Pratītyasamutpāda|Dependent Arising]] (''paṭiccasamuppāda''), which explains how suffering arises (beginning with [[Avidyā (Buddhism)|ignorance]] and ending in birth, old age and death) and how suffering can be brought to an end.<ref>Gombrich, Richard F. (2006). ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo'', p. 63. Routledge.</ref>
*The [[Middle Way]], which is seen as having two major facets. First, it is a middle path between extreme asceticism and sensual indulgence. It is also seen as a middle view between the idea that at death beings are annihilated and the idea that there is an eternal self (Pali: ''atta''). 
*[[Noble Eightfold Path|The Noble Eightfold Path]], one of the main outlines of the [[Buddhist paths to liberation|Buddhist path to awakening.]] The eight factors are: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right [[Samadhi]]. 
*The practice of [[Refuge (Buddhism)|taking refuge in the "Triple Gems"]]: the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], the [[Dharma (Buddhism)|Dhamma]] and the [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Saṅgha]].
*The [[Seven Factors of Awakening|Seven Aids to Awakening]] (''satta bojjhaṅgā''): mindfulness (''[[Mindfulness (Buddhism)|sati]]''), investigation (''[[dhamma vicaya]]''), energy (''[[Vīrya|viriya]]''), bliss (''[[pīti]]'')'','' relaxation (''[[passaddhi]]''), [[Samādhi (Buddhism)|samādhi]], and equanimity (''[[upekkha]]''). 
*The [[Āyatana|six sense bases (''saḷāyatana'')]] and a corresponding theory of [[Sense]] impression ([[Sparśa|''phassa'']]) and consciousness ([[Vijñāna|''viññana'']]).<ref>Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (2001). ''The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya'', pp. 1129–36  Boston: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-072-X}}.</ref>
*Various frameworks for the practice of [[Sati (Buddhism)|mindfulness]] (''sati''), mainly, the four [[Satipatthana|''satipatthanas'']] (establishments of mindfulness) and the 16 elements of [[Ānāpānasati Sutta|''anapanasati'']] (mindfulness of breathing).