Template talk:TheravadaBuddhism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This template was co-created with the irreplaceable User:Sacca. The first serious discussion regarding this template can be found at User_talk:Sacca#Template:Theravada.3F. In addition to his knowledge-based expertise, User:Sacca provided the powerful image that currently crowns this template. Larry_Rosenfeld (talk) 09:52, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

I like the whole idea behind the template: the template is based on the pillars of Asoka. The colors, the lion and the headings all refer to this, nice.Greetings, Sacca 23:51, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Visuddhimagga removal

Also I will remove the Visuddhimagga. I think that it's not the most important text: I think the Mahasatipatthana Sutta would qualify for that, or the Dhammacakkapavattanasutta or anapanasatisutta. I think it's a bit misleading to put Visuddhimagga 'outside of the box' while these other (more important?) texts are not. Greetings, Sacca 23:51, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

I think it would be hard to establish a consensus on what is the most important text. The point about the Visuddhimagga is that it's generally regarded as the standard summary of the teaching. given that the Canon is about 20 times as long & not all translated, that's worth considering. Peter jackson 15:39, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] more info

What about a 'recent publications' tag? These books which are newly written have a lot of influence on the current tradition. It could link to a list of books by some important teachers, divided by country (thai, sri lanka, usa, etc). Greetings, Sacca 04:49, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

I'd be interested in discussing this more.

Could you perhaps list here a few of the books you're thinking about? For instance, honestly and earnestly, I can't think of any book published in the USA ever that would merit inclusion in this template if the Visuddhimagga itself is subsumed under "Commentaries." Perhaps we could create a separate article (or subsection of an existing article) where such books could be listed and then we could insert in the "Text" section a link to something like "Recent Books"?

Alternatively, if you're interested in highlighting current traditions (such as the Thai Forest tradition) independent of books, I'd be open to finding a way to create a new section for such.

Just some thoughts, Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 16:28, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

My apologies, Sacca. I realize that you were initially proposing what I had "countered" with in my second paragraph above. Clearly, had I read what you wrote more clearly, I would have simply agreed that it was a good idea.... Obviously, I've been lacking sleep and meditation :-( Please forgive my UNCLEAR comprehension (asampajanna? -- or is that clear NON-comprehension??). So, yes, make a list and include a link here. Good idea! Best wishes, Larry Rosenfeld (talk) 22:57, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Nepal???

Nepal was recently added to this template. Why? According to the WP article on Nepal and the CIA World Fact Book[1], Nepal is a Hindu state (the "only official Hindu state in the world" according to the latter source) with only a 10.7% of the population identified as Buddhist -- many of whom, I suspect, practice Tibetan Buddhism, not Theravada Buddhism. A Google search seems to indicate that some claim a Theravada heritage in Nepal because the Buddha was born in Lumbini and may have taught some in Nepal; but, such teachings were not truly "Theravadin" but, if to be labeled, "early ('pre-sectarian'?) Buddhist." Furthermore, as indicated in the text associated with this template: "The main article and set of related citations for this template's content is Theravada"; the Theravada articles does not even mention Nepal. So by what reasonable, fair criterion is Nepal included (and, even more inscrutable, put before Sri Lanka, at the head of the list)? Thanks, 24.136.229.74 (talk) 20:21, 7 June 2008 (UTC)