Abstract

                 The thesis, An Analytical Study of Brahman in Brahmanism According to Theravâda Buddhist View was a documentary research which hosted two purposes: 1) to study the belief about Brahma in Brahmanism and Buddhism and 2) to analyze Brahma according to the attitude of Theravâda Buddhism.

            The results of the analyses of the scriptures, the texts as well as other related researches of Buddhism and Brahmanism showed that Brahma in the attitude of Theravâda Buddhism was just a living creature. However, Brahma was believed to be the high level heaven being who was reborn to be Brahma in the Brahma world as a result of his different power levels of practicing supraconsciousness when he was a human being. In another meaning, Brahma was compared as a high-minded person. For example, parents were also compared as children’s Brahma. Brahma in the attitudes of Buddhists was, therefore, reasonably describable and meaningful. On the other hand, Brahma in the attitude of Brahmanism was the God who had created the Earth and all other things on the Earth. He was indescribable in words and he was beyond description of speaking or thinking. Consequently, Brahma in the attitude of Brahmanism was aimed to give metaphysical meanings.

According to the results of the investigation of Brahma’s characteristics, it showed that Brahma in the attitude of Brahmanism had the great power over the universe. As a result, his characteristics could not be interpreted, defined or prescribed. Nevertheless, Brahma in the attitude of Buddhism, who even had positive characteristics like occupying longevity, beautiful shape, glorious radiance, melodious voice and so on, was not considered to have the great power over the universe as it was in Brahmanism.

            In the point of belief about Brahma in the issue of the origin of the Earth, it showed that Brahma in the attitude of Buddhism did not have the power to create the world and the universe as it did in the attitude of Brahmanism. According to the evidence in the scriptures of Buddhism, there was a theory about the origin of the Earth mentioned that the Earth was originated under the natural process. Furthermore, Buddhism rejected the belief in the caste system which mentioned that Brahma was the inspirer of human beings in different castes. This belief was adjusted to be the issue of virtue of human beings which was the results of their actions. Additionally, the results of examining the principles of Brahma in both religions showed that there was a correlation between their principles, especially in the point that Brahma was the personification in Brahmanism whose status was a god. This was the linkage to the idea about Brahma in Buddhism that Brahma lived in all 20 levels of the Brahma world and the practices of becoming Brahma such as Kasina meditation and samãp­­atti 8 and so on.

            The results of analyzing the principles of Brahma in metaphysics which linked to the belief of Brahmanism showed that the principles in metaphysical aspect were not appropriate with current Thai-social context. The principles about Brahma should emphasize the virtue and goodness which resulted in becoming Brahma and Brahma in the present period. Other additional results of the study showed that four principles virtuous existence were actually applied to be used in Thai society because they could cause loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. These principles were extremely important in living together within a society. In addition, they were the factors which encouraged other virtue practices such as affection and having good wishes in various ways.