Theravadian on wikipedia.

[l0rca]

Philosophy

Theravada promote the concept of Vibhajjavada (Pali), literally "Teaching of Analysis" which uses critical methods of investigation as opposed to blind faith. With this method the answer has to be discovered by the aspirant, after being convinced by valid thought and experience, in order to reach the first glimpse of the goal.

The Theravadins goal is the achievement of the state of Arahant (lit. "worthy one", "winner of Nibbana"), a life where all (future) birth is at an end, where the holy life is fully achieved, where all that has to be done has been done, and whereupon there is no more returning to the worldly life. In the Theravadin view, the attainment of arahatship is equal in every way to the realization attained by the Buddha himself. The Buddha remains a figure of reverence even for arahats because he was able to attain nibbana without the aid of any teacher or outside instruction—he is said to be 'fully self-enlightened' in many Pali verses of praise. Only after the development of the Mahayana did the insight or knowledge attained by an arhat come to be seen as a lesser form of that attained by the Buddha himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada

How well does this describe them? I was under a very different impression.

 

[Ryokan]

As a Theravada Buddhist, I think the description fits very well, although it could be a bit clearer about the ending of birth thing. As it stands, it could be interpreted that Theravada Buddhists believe in reincarnation, which they don't.

The definition of an arahant is simply one who fully and completely understands the four noble truths.

For the Theravada view on 'critical methods of investigation as opposed to blind faith', read the Kalama Sutta.

Short version.

Long version.

ETA: What was your impression?

 

[l0rca]

l0rca (9:35:22 PM): My idea, when I discussed with a fellow Theravadian was that it was that rebirth was never a fully understood concept, and that contemplations of what happens to consciousness were platforms to use to consider how everything is interpenetrated by everything else.
Other Person (9:36:26 PM): Ahh
l0rca (9:38:43 PM): Rebirth, basically to Theravadian buddhism (haha, well my understanding before I read this wiki dung), was that "rebirth
l0rca (9:39:41 PM): ..." was in english work, and an innacurate one, to describe how our matter is not destroyed, by disentigrated and reused by the universe. An entirely scientific understanding.
l0rca (9:40:21 PM): *word, not work
Moses I Am Not (9:41:09 PM): Hmmm
l0rca (9:45:54 PM): Well the "nirvana" in it is to form a wont to consider the universe constantly from this interpenetrational shade of thinking. I've done it a number of times and it is a mind****.
l0rca (9:47:16 PM): The idea isn't to try to become one with the world as much as it is to have a feeling of understanding and to simulate what happens out there with what happens in here.
l0rca (9:49:52 PM): I don't follow it anymore, because the feeling is hard to achieve, and it requires of me certain moods I have never really memorized. I also don't think I want my goal in life is to simulate this feeling constantly. I'd rather write with fire. I can't do that if I'm always consumed by the feeling.
l0rca (9:50:25 PM): You've probably had the feeling too a few times. Theravadans just prescribe it as a way of life.
Other Person (9:55:25 PM): I probably have, yeah.

 

[Dancing David]

The above debate is one of personal belief, my personal belief is that nibbana is a state of free action, unrestricted by preconception and habits.