Abstract

                      This thesis is a documentary research aiming to study the concept of anger, solutions to anger, and applications of Dhamma as solutions to anger in society. Results of the study are briefly described below.

      The concept of anger appeared both in the Buddhist Holy Scripture called Tipitaka  and its commentaries. Buddhist scholars and academics have discussed the definitions of  anger, signs of anger, causes of anger, and process of anger. In brief, anger has been defined as negative reactions shown by an individual who is angry, revengeful, resentful, or holding grudges against the other person or animal. A person in anger can harm himself and others on various occasions, kill anyone, even his parents, and Arahants or holy men. The Buddha mentioned ten causes of anger in Akhatavutthusutra leading to the violation of the first Buddhist precept on killing and inuring other persons or animals, with or without volition. The flames of anger darken and torture the mind; an angered person will not have a clear understanding of his own and others’ benefits, and can commit serious mistakes so easily. Therefore, Ariyas or Enlightened Individuals usually praise the elimination of anger (getting rid of anger) because it prevents us from being saddened and makes us happy and healthy.

                      The main Buddhist teachings applied as solutions to the anger in this research consisted of Five Precepts, Non-anger, Mindfulness, Loving-kindness and Compassion, Virtues for a Good Household Life, and Moral Shame and Moral Dread. These teachings have been found to be a good solution to anger on many levels: individual, family, organization, and society, depending on one’s knowledge and ability to apply those teachings. According to Buddhism, practicing the Five Precepts is fundamental to both physical and mental development in eliminating anger, preventing and suppressing anger; the mind of the practitioner will be clear, clean, pure, ever ready to go into meditation more quickly, and gain insights or wisdom to remove anger from the mind. Moreover, the practitioner knows how to sacrifice and let go with mindfulness to watch the occurrence of anger. Practicing non-anger, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion can make the practitioner happy physically and mentally as well By spreading the feeling of loving-kindness to all sentient beings, the practitioner can reduce anger; by practicing virtues of a good household life, moral shame and moral dread the practitioner can also reduce anger that harms others; and by practicing tolerance and patience the practitioner can prevent or suppress anger.        

                      As for approaches and techniques to applying the principles of Buddhist teachings as solutions to anger, the researcher proposed these: Five Precepts, Non-anger, Mindfulness, Virtues of a Good Household Life, Moral Shame, and Moral Dread. These principles can be applied at individual, professional, and social levels depending on one’s knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply them in their daily life.