Abstract

                       The three objectives of this research are: (1) to study the Bhaddekaratta Sutta on its origin, importance and contents (2) to study the  stated practices and (3) how these practices lead to dhamma attainment. The researcher has found that the results of the study conform to the thesis’s objectives.   

                       The research’s results show that Bhaddekaratta Sutta contains practicing methods which lead practitioners to the development in the dhamma. Because Lord Buddha once perceived the enlightenment-potentiality in a group of monks and he wished to accelerate their practice so that they reach the conclusion in that present time. So the Buddha revealed this Sutta to them, asking them to use its contents as the practicing ground.

                       Three main practicing principles, according to Bhaddekaratta Sutta, are to be clearly aware of what is going on (which means the going on of the Pañcha-khandha: the Five Groups of Existence or Five Aggregates i.e. the Rupa-Khandha: corporeality, the Vedanã-Khandha: feeling; sensation, the Sañña-Khandha: perception, the Sankhara-Khandha: mental formations and the Viññana-Khandha: consciousness), to practice persistently (that is to practice according to the Jagariyanuyoga: the watchfulness; avoidance of sleep) and to contemplate death. Its main principal, however, is to be clearly aware of what is happening. And in being able to be conscious of the present, the practitioner has to follow three principles, i.e. (1) do not ponder the Pañcha-khandha that has passed (2) do not think about the Pañcha-khandha that has not happened and (3) firmly aware of the Pañcha-khandha that is happening in the present.

                       The Bhaddekaratta Sutta’s principles of being resolutely in the present and to practice persistently are according to the Satipattฺhana (Four Foundations of Mindfulness) Sutta and the Sammappadhãna (the Four Great Efforts) doctrine, which are the practicing rules that lead to enlightenment. Those who have practiced comprehensively rules stated in the Bhaddekaratta Sutta, have evenly also included the practice of the Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma. The Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma, which can be breakdown into 14 groups, when driven by the Sammappadhãna 4, the rest of the practices will be performed completely. Almost all of the dhamma will be realized at the same time when the practitioner reaches attainment. This means that if one could practice according to the Bhaddekaratta Sutta, one could be able to attain enlightenment.