ABSTRACT

The objectives of the research titled “An Analytical study of the Concept of the Freedom of mind in Theravada Buddhism” were on 3 folds: 1) to study the Freedom in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study the Freedom of Mind in Theravada Buddhism and 3) to analytical study the Freedom of Mind of philosophers in Theravada Buddhism.

This study was a qualitative research by collecting data from Tipitaka, commentaries, Visuddhimagga scriptures, Vimuttimagga scriptures as well as related documents, then analyze data and present data as results of research.

The results of the research:

1).The term “Freedom” in Thai means marvelous thing, liberty of oneself. The root of word is from “Issariya” in Pali means marvelous thing  and freedom as the solemn utterances of the Buddha said “Suppang Issariyang Sukhang all of freedoms cause to happiness” Phra Atthakathajarn (the commentator) described as 2 concepts: the King and liberty occurred from Nana (insight), Abhinna (Super knowledge) or the liberty occurred from Nirodha (The cessation of suffering) causing of attainment of the Paths of Nirvana. The Theravada Buddhist philosophers gave a meaning “Freedom” in the principle of nature means Vimutti or releasing to be free based on 5 kinds, i.e. (1) Vikkhambhana-Vimutti (deliverance by suppression), (2) Tadanga-Vimutti (deliverance by substitution of opposites), (3) Samucheda-Vimutti (deliverance by destruction), (4) Patipassaddhi-Vimutti (deliverance by tranquillization) and (5) Nissarana-Vimutti (deliverance by escaping from defilements). There are 3 kinds of the characteristics of freedom, i.e. (1) deliverance of defilements by basing on peace of mind, it is said Ceto-Vimutti (deliverance of mind) basing on the basic of calm meditation, (2) deliverance of defilements by basing on wisdom, it is said Panna-Vimutti (liberation through wisdom) basing on the basic of insight meditation, relying on calmness, but less than 4 Jhanas (Absorptions), to be the way of insight meditation to attain the knowledge of the cessation of mental intoxication, and (3) deliverance of defilements by basing on mind and wisdom, it is said Ubhatobhaga-Vimutti (one liberated in both ways)

2). The Freedom of Mind is the releasing of defilements affected from the development of physical and mental right conducts, the right conduct in act and word based on right livelihood and omitting of consumerism, not to fall into slavery of consumerism, set to physical and social Freedoms. The raining of the mind to base on strong, decisive, good self-controlling, concentration, high courage, peace, happiness and pure liberty, without sorrowful defilements. Improvement of the mind stabilize on high quality and efficiency up to the identical mind, set to the Freedom of mind. The pure Freedom of thought derives from wisdom development and truly knows and understands on the realistic natures of deliverance of free and peaceful mind, set to the Freedom of wisdom.

3). The Freedom of Mind of philosophers in Theravada Buddhism gave different meanings of Thai language according to terminology of Linguistic, Phradhammakhosajan ( Buddhathasabhikkhu) gave a meaning “the independent mind on all things” Phrabrahmagunabhorn ( P.A. Payutto) gave a meaning “the mind releasing from defilements” Phra Rajawutthajan (Laungpu Dul Atulo) gave a meaning “the mind releasing from holding in all things” Bhodhiyanathera (Luangpor  Chah  Subhaddo) gave a meaning “the mind is free from the sinful defilements” Phradhammavisuddhimongkorn (Bua Yanasambhanno)  gave a meaning “the mind is the pure and free from the defilements” but in Paramattha (the highest ideal) or principle of nature “the Freedom of Mind” means the identical truth refers to the principle of nature of mind releasing from defilements.