What does ai think of classical theravada?

Lounge
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I asked in an incognito browser “What are the theravada discussion groups available?”
I like what ai says about this group. I could not use claude without signing in so it is not included.

Gemini 2.5

There are several active Theravada discussion groups catering to different levels of interest, from scholarly textual analysis to casual peer support.

Online Forums and Social Communities

These platforms are the most active for daily conversation and Q&A.

  • SuttaCentral (Discuss & Discover): This is the premier forum for those interested in Early Buddhist Texts (EBTs). It is highly scholarly, often featuring contributions from monastics (like Bhante Sujato) and Pali translators. It is best for deep dives into sutta meanings and historical context.
  • Dhamma Wheel: One of the oldest and largest dedicated Theravada forums. It covers a wide range of topics, including modern practice, the Thai Forest tradition, and the Abhidhamma. It tends to be more “Western Theravada” in its leanings but has a very diverse user base.
  • Reddit: r/theravada: A very active community for general questions, sharing Dhamma talks, and seeking practice advice. It is generally beginner-friendly and features regular AMAs with Theravada monks.
  • Classical Theravada: A specialized forum for those who focus on the traditional commentarial perspective (the Atthakatha) and the Abhidhamma. It is quieter but offers high-quality, tradition-aligned discussion.

Chat GPT

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Screenshot posted so I don’t get accused of renaming dhammawheel

Here are Theravāda-oriented discussion groups and communities you can join — ranging from online forums and study groups to live dhamma discussions and local meetups:

:pushpin: 1. Online Discussion Forums & Message Boards

aDhamma Wheel

A long-standing internet forum focusing on Theravāda Buddhism where people post and discuss dhamma, suttas, meditation, practice, and related topics. adhammawheel.ext.trekmentor.com

Classical Theravāda Forum

Engaged community focused on classical Theravāda study (including canonical texts and commentaries). Discussions span sutta study, practice, and textual scholarship. Classical Theravāda

Religious Forums – Theravada Section

A general religion forum with a section on Theravāda Buddhism — good for casual questions and discussions (registration required). Religious Forums

Discourse & Sutta Central

The Discuss & Discover forum on SuttaCentral is popular for early Buddhist texts study and interpretation, including Pāli learning groups. Reddit

:speech_balloon: 2. Discord & Chat Communities

There are several Buddhist Discord servers with Theravāda-oriented spaces (some mixed with broad Buddhist discussion):

  • Theravāda/Thai Forest Discord Servers — group chats focused on practice, dhamma study, meditation, and Q&A (often featuring book clubs, meditation rooms, etc.). dhamma.ru
  • Dhammarata Saṅgha Discord — community support and discussion including beginner and intermediate topics. dhamma.ru

Note: Some group names and invitations (e.g., Golden Swastika Discord Buddhist community) circulate on Reddit — verify group moderation and dhamma alignment before joining. Reddit

:date: 3. Regular Online Dhamma Meetings

Theravada Buddhist Community (TBC)

A group offering weekly online dhamma meetings (often with chanting, guided meditation, and discussion) via Zoom — inclusive and open to all. theravadabuddhistcommunity.org

:globe_with_meridians: 4. Meetup & Local Groups (Global)

You can find Theravāda meetups in many regions via Meetup.com, ranging from study circles to meditation and dhamma discussions:

  • Theravāda Buddhism Meetups worldwide (many groups with regular get-togethers) Meetup
  • Examples include Meditation & Buddhist Study Communities in locations like Chiang Mai, San Francisco Bay Area, and more. Meetup

(Tip: Search “Theravāda Buddhism” on your local Meetup site for groups near you.)

:person_in_lotus_position: 5. Additional Online & Mailing List Groups

Some longstanding discussion lists and chat groups still exist, often with a focus on dhamma study:

  • Dhamma Study Group (groups.io) — study discussions of the Tipiṭaka and Theravāda tradition. dhamma.ru
  • Insight Practice Groups (groups.io) — discussions around insight meditation and practice. dhamma.ru

:hammer_and_wrench: Tips for Choosing a Group

Before joining a group, consider the following:

  • Style of discussion: academic/textual vs practice-oriented vs general dhamma sharing.
  • Moderation: especially in open forums and Discord — well-moderated groups are often more constructive.
  • Tradition alignment: some groups emphasize classical Theravāda, others mix traditions.
  • Live vs asynchronous: some are ongoing live Zoom/Discord chats, others are forum threads you can post to anytime.

If you tell me what type of group you want (e.g., Pāli sutta study, meditation discussions, weekly live sessions, local Colombo/Sri Lanka group), I can tailor this list further!

Grok

There are several active online discussion groups and communities focused on Theravada Buddhism, ranging from forums and subreddits to Discord servers. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

Dedicated Forums

  • Dhamma Wheel (dhammawheel.com) — The largest and most active English-language forum specifically for Theravada Buddhism discussions. It covers general Theravada topics, meditation, suttas, Abhidhamma, and beginner questions (with moderated responses for accuracy). It’s highly regarded for in-depth Dhamma conversations.
  • SuttaCentral Discuss & Discover (discourse.suttacentral.net) — The official discussion forum tied to SuttaCentral, focused on Early Buddhist Texts (including the Pali Canon central to Theravada). Great for textual analysis, practice questions, and scholarly yet practical discussions.
  • Classical Theravāda (classicaltheravada.org) — A smaller, more orthodox forum emphasizing Vinaya, Dhamma as explained in commentaries, and Abhidhamma.

Reddit Communities

  • r/theravada — A popular subreddit for Theravada practitioners, with regular posts on practice, suttas, teachings, and Q&A. It’s active and welcoming to beginners.

Discord Servers

Several Discord communities exist for real-time chat, meditation sessions, and discussions:

  • Dedicated Theravada-focused servers (search “Theravada Buddhism” on Discord directories like DISBOARD or Discodus for invites; some include live voice discussions, guided meditations, and monastic posts).
  • Broader Buddhist servers with strong Theravada channels, such as Dhammadhātu or general Buddhism ones that welcome Theravada topics.

Other Options

  • Facebook Groups → Search for “Theravada Buddhism” or specific ones like regional groups (e.g., Theravada Singapore). Many share teachings, events, and discussions.
  • Meetup.com → For in-person or hybrid local Theravada groups (search “Theravada” in your area).

These communities vary in tone—some are strictly orthodox, others more casual or focused on early texts. Start with Dhamma Wheel or r/theravada if you’re looking for broad engagement. Always check community rules for respectful participation.

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I asked gemini about CT:
Yes, there is a dedicated forum called Classical Theravāda (classicaltheravada.org).

It is a specialized community with a very specific focus that sets it apart from more general groups like Dhamma Wheel or SuttaCentral.

What makes it unique?

The forum was created as a “safe haven” for those who follow Orthodox Theravada. Its primary mission is to discuss the Dhamma through the lens of the complete tradition, which includes:

  • The Tipiṭaka: The core Pali Canon.
  • The Abhidhamma: Unlike “Early Buddhist” groups that may sidelining the Abhidhamma, this forum treats it as authoritative.
  • The Commentaries (Atthakatha): They place high value on traditional interpretations, specifically works like the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification).

Key Characteristics of the Forum:

  • Anti-Syncretism: The moderators are strict about keeping the discussion focused on Theravada. They generally do not allow the mixing of Mahayana philosophy or “New Age” secular interpretations.
  • Exclusivity: It is intended for those who already have faith in the classical tradition. Their FAQ explicitly states that if you are looking to challenge the authenticity of the Commentaries or the Abhidhamma, you are encouraged to use other forums instead.
  • Scholar-Practitioner Tone: The discussions tend to be deep, technical, and focused on Pali linguistics and orthodox doctrine.
  • Founders: The site is managed by Bhante Subhuti (an American monk) and Robert K., both of whom are known for their dedication to the classical commentarial tradition.

Should you join?

  • Join if: You want to study the Dhamma exactly as it is preserved in the traditional Sri Lankan, Burmese, or Thai orthodox lineages and you value the Commentaries as essential guides.
  • Avoid if: You prefer “Early Buddhism” (Sutta-only) or like to debate whether the Abhidhamma was actually spoken by the Buddha, as those topics are often considered “off-mission” there
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I asked Gemini to find authors who align with CT:

To align with the Classical Theravada community, you need authors who treat the Tipiṭaka, the Abhidhamma, and the Commentaries (Atthakatha) as a single, unified, and authoritative system.

The authors below are frequently cited on classicaltheravada.org and are considered “safe” within that community because they don’t try to “re-invent” Buddhism or bypass the traditional lineage.

1. Nina van Gorkom

She is perhaps the most important contemporary lay author for this tradition. Her work is legendary for being strictly orthodox and focused on the Abhidhamma.

  • Key Books: Abhidhamma in Daily Life, Cetasikas, and The Conditionality of Life.
  • Why she fits: She explains how every moment of consciousness is governed by the laws found in the Abhidhamma and Commentaries, without straying into modern psychology.

2. Venerable Ledi Sayadaw

A massive figure in the Burmese tradition. While he lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his writings are the backbone of classical study today.

  • Key Books: The Manuals of Dhamma (The Maggaṅga Dīpanī, etc.).
  • Why he fits: He was a master of both the texts and the practice. The Classical Theravada forum often discusses his Paramatthadīpanī (a commentary on the Abhidhammattha-sangaha).

3. Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw

If you are interested in meditation that strictly follows the Visuddhimagga (the 5th-century “Path of Purification”), his work is the gold standard.

  • Key Books: Knowing and Seeing, The Workings of Kamma.
  • Why he fits: His method is highly technical and requires a deep understanding of the Abhidhamma to master the stages of concentration and insight.

4. Venerable Nyanatiloka Thera

One of the first Westerners to become a monk in the Theravada tradition (ordained 1903). He was a rigorous scholar who respected the traditional hierarchy of texts.

  • Key Books: Buddhist Dictionary (essential for classical terms), Fundamentals of Buddhism, and Guide through the Abhidhamma-Piṭaka.
  • Why he fits: He provided clear, accurate English definitions that stay true to the Pali Commentaries rather than using modern “loose” translations.

5. Bhikkhu Bodhi (with a caveat)

While Bhikkhu Bodhi is the world’s leading translator of the Suttas, the Classical Theravada community specifically values his work on the Abhidhamma.

  • Key Book: A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma.
  • The Caveat: Some in the “Classical” circle feel he occasionally leans too much toward modern scholarly views, but his Manual of Abhidhamma is still the primary textbook they use for study.

Summary Table for Quick Reference

Author Focus Area Best Starting Point
Nina van Gorkom Daily Abhidhamma Abhidhamma in Daily Life
Ledi Sayadaw Philosophy & Practice The Manuals of Dhamma
Pa-Auk Sayadaw Samatha/Vipassana Knowing and Seeing
Nyanatiloka Terms & Definitions Buddhist Dictionary
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The parody web page of Dhamma Wheel quoted by AI above appears to be made by the Waharaka group, which is known to be quite controversial. It appears DW is too “classical” for them and that’s why they are referring to DW as “aDhamma” when in fact it is their group that appears to have deviated further from the Dhamma.

See: Waharaka movement and puredhamma.net: warning

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thanks for noting that!

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A little scary since ai knows that puredhamma is not proper dhamma.

I have asked before.

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No, if you follow the link at the bottom it takes you to a parody of the Waharaka group that is more elaborate than the one of DhammaWheel

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Okay, I found who is behind that website.

Trekmentor website is brought to you by H. M. K. S. K. Wickramanayake (Kamal Wickramanayake).

Not sure which username is his at DW; if he was a member there or if he had some bad experience there or not (in his view).

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Trementor is a member here. He might comment :slight_smile:

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How interesting. I wonder if AI scanned our comments on this forum regarding the other forums to come to its conclusion or it just figured it out on its own. :thinking:

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I think so. And naybe found a few posts on other forums about CT