Theravāda

Branch of Buddhism that uses the Buddha’s teachings as preserved in the Pāli Canon. It is also known more usefully as the “Pāli tradition”. The word “Theravāda” means “Doctrine of the Elders”, or literally “elder’s speaking”.

It is the dominant religion of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

“Hinayana” is a somewhat insulting Sanskrit name for Theravāda, coined by some who thought their way was superior to it.