About Orthodox Theravāda

Where to find Monasteries that follow Orthodox Theravāda?

This website is created by monks that follows the tradition of Orthodox Theravāda. Orthodox Theravāda refers to the tradition that strictly follows the rules and guidelines laid out in the Pāḷi Theravāda root texts, commentaries, and sub-commentaries. This is the tradition practiced in centers such as:

• Sri Lanka Yogashrama (Na-Uyana)
• Mahāvihāra (Myanmar)
• Varanasi Monasteries (Myanmar)
• Pa-Auk Forest Monastery (Myanmar)
• related Wat Kaho Monasteries (Thailand)
  – Wat Khao Sanamchai
  – Wat Phra That Nong Sam Muen
• Cambodian Vinaya-based monasteries including Pa-Auk Forest Monastery (Cambodia).
• International Institute of Theravāda (Sri Lanka)

Although we only recommend monasteries that follow the vinaya and orthodox teachings, the majority of the world’s Theravāda Buddhist monasteries in the traditional Theravāda countries (Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos) do indeed follow the pariyatti teachings of Orthodox Theravāda. While the English speaker might think differently, that is only because the English medium is littered with modern views.

We are deeply committed to the Abhidhamma and the commentary explanations of the Buddha’s teachings.

This website aims to provide resources, books, and links to help those interested in studying and practicing Buddhism according to this classical and orthodox understanding.