<p>The question quoted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism#Therav%C4%81da_subschools" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Theravāda subschools</a> on Wikipedia.</p>

<p>There's another list on Wikipedia -- i.e. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada#Monastic_orders_within_Therav%C4%81da" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Monastic orders within Theravāda</a> -- that identifies specific characteristics of various "monastic nikayas", which is part of what the question is asking about.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-06T15:27:37.083Z
Unfortunately, both that section of Wikipedia and the pages linked by it do not go into any detail about practice and discipline.
usumdelphini
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-04T18:54:37.587Z
2019-05-04T18:54:37.587Z
ChrisW
<p>Wikipedia lists schools in this section ...</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism#Therav%C4%81da_subschools" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Schools of Buddhism (Theravāda subschools)</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>... but, those pages which describe each school focus on <strong>doctrine or philosophical aspects</strong> (and don't always emphasise the differences with other subschools). </p>

<p>I am interested in aspects that have more to do with <strong>practice and disciplines</strong>, e.g.:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>What are the main differences in how monastic life is led in each of these subschools?</p></li>
<li><p>What does meditation practice focus on and how does that change from one school to the other? </p></li>
</ul>

<p>For instance: I know that in the teaching of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasi_Sayadaw" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mahasi Sayadaw</a> there is an emphasis on verbalising whatever is taking place in the present moment; whereas <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ajahn Chah</a> focuses on "opening the heart". I expect other subschools to neglect walking meditation of discourage verbalisation, others not to allow nuns, etc.</p>

<hr>

<p>Edit -- 
an answer mentioned that Wikipedia also has another page ...</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada#Monastic_orders_within_Therav%C4%81da" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Theravada (Monastic orders within Theravāda)</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>... which discusses <em>nikayas</em> rather than <em>subschools</em> and so which is more pertinent to my question. Unfortunately, those pages too don't discuss, detail, nor compare, the discipline and meditation practice.</p>

<theravada><practice>
What are the main differences -- in meditation practice and discipline -- between different schools of Theravada?
# What are the main differences -- in meditation practice and discipline -- between different schools of Theravada?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-04)

Wikipedia lists schools in this section ...

> [Schools of Buddhism (Theravāda subschools)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism#Therav%C4%81da_subschools)

... but, those pages which describe each school focus on **doctrine or philosophical aspects** (and don't always emphasise the differences with other subschools).

I am interested in aspects that have more to do with **practice and disciplines**, e.g.:

* What are the main differences in how monastic life is led in each of these subschools?
* What does meditation practice focus on and how does that change from one school to the other?

For instance: I know that in the teaching of [Mahasi Sayadaw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasi_Sayadaw) there is an emphasis on verbalising whatever is taking place in the present moment; whereas [Ajahn Chah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah) focuses on "opening the heart". I expect other subschools to neglect walking meditation of discourage verbalisation, others not to allow nuns, etc.

---

Edit --
an answer mentioned that Wikipedia also has another page ...

> [Theravada (Monastic orders within Theravāda)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada#Monastic_orders_within_Therav%C4%81da)

... which discusses *nikayas* rather than *subschools* and so which is more pertinent to my question. Unfortunately, those pages too don't discuss, detail, nor compare, the discipline and meditation practice.

**Tags:** theravada, practice


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-05-04. Score: 1

The question quoted [Theravāda subschools](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schools_of_Buddhism#Therav%C4%81da_subschools) on Wikipedia.

There's another list on Wikipedia -- i.e. [Monastic orders within Theravāda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada#Monastic_orders_within_Therav%C4%81da) -- that identifies specific characteristics of various "monastic nikayas", which is part of what the question is asking about.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Unfortunately, both that section of Wikipedia and the pages linked by it do not go into any detail about practice and discipline.  

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