ABSTRACT

The thesis is of 3 main objectives : 1) to study Ãsannakamma in Theravãda Buddhist
Scriptures. 2) to study the life after death in the perspective of Theravãda Buddhism. 3) to Study
of the Relationship between the Ãsannakamma (The Action Near to Death) and the Life After death.

The result of this research found that in Mahãkammavibhangasutta, explained the
Ãsannakamma in two meanings, the first one, the kamma was realized by the people who closed to the
time of death, another one was the kamma that had done at the moment of his death.

Life after death is devided in to two ways, named Dugatibhũmi and Sugatibhũmi the
total are 31 Bhũmi. Dugatibhũmi is an unpleasant place devided into 4 Bhũmis (1) Tiracchãna
bhũmi (2) Asurakãyabhũmi (3) Petabhũmi (4) Nirayabhũmi. Sugathibhũmi is a pleaseant place
divided into 3 Bhũmis (1) Manussabhũmi 1 (2) Devabhũmi 6 (3) Brahmabhũmi 20

The Relationship between the Ãsannakamma (The Action Near to Death) and the life
after death, there are temperament held by the persons who are near to death which give 3 kinds of
vision (1) Kammãrammaņa (2) Kammanimitta (3) Ãramammaņa. Any kind of any temperament
appear and show the sign which is telling that the birth will arise in Dugatibhũmi or Sugatibhũmi
according to the temperaments arising from the powerful action done by the person. If he was a
person who did only the bad action, at the moment near to his death, the bad action will cause him
to be born in the 4 Apãyabhũmis. By making merit Ãsannakamma will cause the soul recognized
the good deeds before the time of the death, so his soul will be pure and uplift to be born in the
happy state.

The Kusala Ãsannakamma will reminisce to the person who is near to death are : (1) to
have faith in the Tripple Gem. The person’s kin will put some flowers, candles and incenses in his
hand for worshiping and also reminded him to recall the Triple Gem by chanting “Sammã Araham”
or “Sammãsambuddho”. This will help him to forget the sickness and will cause his mind to be
pure. (2) By observe religious precepts, when he has a firm mind and a volition to observe the
precepts, his mind is bright. (3) By listen to the Dhamma from the monk which the relatives invited
or turn on the radio to listen to the Dhamma. This causes Sammãditthi to arise. When the nearly
passing away person has faith on the words of wisdom, his mind will become intellected and
peaceful. These methods will help the person to die peacefully, with pure mind and to close the door
to the state of misery (Apãyabhũmi).