Theravada

 
Pronunciation: /ˌθɛrəˈvɑːdə/
(also Theravada Buddhism)

noun

[mass noun]
  • the more conservative of the two major traditions of Buddhism (the other being Mahayana), which developed from Hinayana Buddhism. It is practised mainly in Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

Origin:

from Pali theravāda, literally 'doctrine of the elders', from thera 'elder, old' + vāda 'speech, doctrine'