ABSTRACT

This dissertation entitled “A Buddhist Wise Way to Decrease Unwholesome Roots in Daily Life” is of three objectives as (1) to study unwholesome roots in the context of Buddhism ; (2) to analyze the form of the wise way to decrease unwholesome roots according to Buddhism ; and (3) to apply the wise way to decrease unwholesome roots in daily life. The research methodology is qualitative based on references of books, documents, research works, etc. on Buddhism to seek the wise way to decrease unwholesome roots for Thai society.

Findings are as follow :

The unwholesome roots are of lobha-greed, dosa-hatred, or kodha-anger and moha-delusion. Dhammas as wise way to decrease lobha-greed are : (1) practice of mind meditation; (2) donation; (3) precept observance; (4) contentment; and (5) tolerance. Dhammas as wise way to decrease dosa-hatred, or kodha-anger are:       (1) recollection of Buddha’s teachings; (2) deliverance from dangers; (3) tolerance; (4) loving – kindness;  (5) self assessment; (6) recollection of depravity; (7) recollection of other’s virtue;  (8) anger as the cause of suffering; (9) consideration of one’s own action; (10) consideration of the past action of the Buddha; (11) consideration of each other relation in the cycle of life (12) recollection of merit of loving-kindness; (13) analysis of the elements; and (14) distribution of giving. Dharmas as wise way to decrease moha-delusion are : (1) proper attention; (2) mental development both of tranquility and insight, or the four Foundations of Mindfulness.

                  Considering the principle and method to decrease the unwholesome roots in daily life, the sixteen mental defilements are to be grouped into these unwholesome roots, i.e. , a group of lobbha is greed and covetousness; a group of dosa are illwill, anger grudge; a group of moha are detraction, domineering, envy, stinginess, deceit, hypocrisy, obstinacy, presumption, conceit, excessive conceit, vanity, and heedlessness. The wise way to decrease these mental defilements is made by three bases of meritorious action, i.e. giving as for greed, precepts as for anger, and mental development as for delusion. The thinking process would be confirming to analytical reflection.

                  The wise way to decrease these unwholesome roots is to analyze the meaning of each mental defilement and seek the wise way to get rid or decrease one of them as suggested following.

                  A group of lobha is greed and covetousness could be decreased by giving and generosity to prevent his own stinginess and turn way from unrighteous greed. One more thing is abhayadāna–forgiveness makes people far away of fright and danger, become the beloved of the many others. To follow dāna–giving is to practice sila–the five precepts automatically. Dhammas to support and encourage decreasing lobha are of contenment, moral shame, charity, and right livelihood.

A group of dosa is anger begins with arati–aversion, leading to paṭigha–collision, kodha–anger, dosa–depravity, and finally to bayāpāda–malevolence or illwill. Loving-kindness development is a means to cultivate friendliness and decrease anger and malevolence. The other dhammas to practice along the line are loving–kindness, compassion, moral fear, patience, self–control, and non–anger.

                  Moha–delusion is caused from ignorance of the four noble truths. A group of moha comprises of makkha–detraction which could be decreased by gratitude or the quality of being a grateful person ; palāsa–domineering be decreased by reverence; Issā–envy be decreased by ultraistic joy; macchariya–stinginess  be decreased by giving and generosity; māyā–deceit be decreased by sincerity; sātheyya–hypocrisy be decreased by humility and knowing oneself; thambha–obstinacy be decreased by gentleness; sārambha-presumption be decreased by consideration of its advantage causing the other defilements arrive after such as makkha, palāsa, issā, māyā, sātheyya, and atimāna, etc.; māna–conceit and atimāna–excessive conceit be decreased by disconcentiousness and humility ; and at the same time mada–vanity and pamāda–heedlessness would be got rid and decreased by mindfulness and attentiveness, i.e. non–negligence. The best way to get rid and decrease the unwholesome roots is to practice mental development, both of samatha bhāvanā-tranquility development and vipassanā bhāvanā-insight development, the so–called kammatthāna–stations of mental exercises. The principal dhamma is bāhusacca-much learning or profound knowledge shall prevent people from bad action and lead them to the righteousness which could bring them into safety and happiness in daily life.

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