Abstract

This thesis is of 3 purposes. The first one is to study Vedana (feeling) in the Theravada Buddhist Scriptures. The second one is to study Dhamma relevant to Vedana in the Theravada Buddhist Scriptures. The third one is to analyze the practice towards Vedana in the Theravada Buddhist Scriptures.

From the study, it is found that Vedana is the feeling originated from 3 factors. The outer sense-objects touch the inner sense-organs. The consciousness is to know the occurring sense. This phenomenon is called Phassa. It can be said that Phassa is the cause of Vedana.  There are 3 forms of Vedana. They are pleasant feeling, painful feeling, and indifferent feeling. The natures of Vedana are under Tilakkhana (the Three Characteristics). The first one is Aniccata which is impermanence. The second one is Dukkhata which is state of suffering. The third one is Anattata which is a state of being non-self. Therefore, it cannot be controlled as desired.

From the study of the Doctrinal principles in connection Vedana in Theravada Buddhist Scriptures, it is found that the Doctrinal principles relating to Vedana as the factor causing Vedana to arise are 3 Tanha  3 Akusala-mula  5 Nivarana 8 Loka-dhamma. Though these doctrines can cause Tri-Vedana to arise, they will cause the people to have the suffering in the end. The Doctrinal principles that extinguished the Vedana are the Doctrinal principles which help the people to extinguish the Vedana or to lessen the Vedana or to cause the people to have Upekkha-Vedana of wisdom. The mentioned Doctrinal principles are Sati, Sampajañña, khanti, Viriya, Yonisomanasikara, Samadhi, Jhana, 4 Satipatthana, 7 Bhojjhanga, the Noble Eightfold Path, 10 Sañña and 10 Anussati. 

The method of practice towards Vedana in the three Baskets is the development of Doctrinal principles which extinguished the Vedana which are Sati and sampajañña etc. The Buddha also taught us to use Vedana to be the opportunity in developing the Magga and the Phala in order to reach the state of being away from the defilements, that is “Nibbana”  Regarding the application of the method of practising towards Vedana to the daily life, it is the fact that a person is ready to face the 3 Vedana rightly, by giving up the Doctrinal principles which are the factor causing Vedana to arise and to develop the Doctrinal principles causing Vedana to extinguish, and having Sati and Sampajañña at the present time. A person should be of enough khanti and use Yonisomanasikara properly. One more important point is that one should not firmly hold the Self and Vedana. Moreover, one should know how to be away from the self. A person should practice himself nightly according to the natural law that is the principle of “Paticcasamuppada” which is the way to cause the life to be very happy.