Theravada is known as the “Way of the Elders” and is the oldest known school of Buddhism. Texts originating from this tradition is recorded in Pali, which is based on a common denominating dialect in India during the Buddha's time.

It is a vibhajjavāda tradition (coarsely translated into English as the “doctrine of analysis”). The Buddha advised all followers to explore, analyze and understand his teachings instead of just applying blind faith.

After the Buddha's pari-nibbana in 543 BC, Theravada Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, Burma, Laos and Thailand. It then got infused with local cultures to form it’s own unique tradition, although the principles of the religion remain universal.

The teachings followed at MDC are from the Thai Theravada Tradition. But although both resident religious advisors are ordained in different lineages (Maha-nikaya & Thammayut) according to the Thai Theravada system, they teach the unified tradition of the Dhamma-vinaya, the religion of the Buddha.

MDC was set up in 2007 with the hopes of spreading this gift of Truth. In this day and age when the Buddha-sasana is declining, people find themselves caught up in form-based rituals, believing that this is the way to liberation. Lost are the intended teachings of the Buddha, except to wise ones who spend their lives practising and contemplating in line with the teachings as handed down by the Lord Buddha. We are blessed to have the opportunity to learn under such venerated teachers. By sharing this treasure, we hope to do our bit in the contribution to the extension of this sasana. For the Lord Buddha did expound:-

"And if the monks dwell rightly, this world will not be empty of arahants." DN 16

Be it ordained monks or lay practitioners, for as long as we are in the right direction, all we have to do...is keep walking.