Theravada Buddhism

Throughout Southeast Asia, Buddhist monks abound, and visitors are spellbound. Theravada Buddhism is practiced most prominently in Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The Theravada Buddhists believe that one cannot attain Nirvana by simply living an ethical life, by devotion or by the grace of gods or spirits. Rather, insight can be achieved only through experience, critical investigation and reasoning. Attaining insight is completely a matter of personal responsibility. The Buddhas are nothing more than teachers of the Noble Eightfold Path to the Four Noble Truths: (1) Dukkha (suffering), (2) Dukkha Samudaya (cause of suffering), (3) Dukkha Nirodha (cessation of suffering), and (4) Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patapada (pathway to freedom from suffering). Suffering is the state in which all humans live, tied to the cycle of birth, illness, aging and death. We suffer due to the Five Hindrances to self-awakening and liberation from the illusion of reality: (1) sensual desire, (2) anger or ill-will, (3) sloth or boredom, (4) restlessness or worry, and (5) doubt. While not entirely impossible for a lay person to attain Nirvana, it is the monks who are thought be be on the path to enlightenment.