Sthaviras upheld orthodoxy after the Buddha’s death, preserving discipline and doctrine. In poetry, they appear as pillars of the Sangha—calm, unwavering, rooted in Vinaya. Poets honor them as guardians of the flame, ensuring the Dharma’s continuity through turbulent times.

Sthavira means "elder" in Sanskrit (Thera in Pali). It refers to the senior, ordained monks in early Buddhism. After the Buddha's death, a major schism occurred between the Sthaviras, who advocated for strict monastic discipline, and the Mahasanghikas ("Great Assembly"), who were more liberal. The Sthavira lineage eventually evolved into the Theravada school ("Teaching of the Elders"). For scholars, this term is key to understanding the early sectarian developments and the conservative roots of the only surviving early Buddhist school.