Abstract

This thesis has three objectives:  to study the enlightenment in the context of the Theravada Buddhist scripture, to study the Ten Virtues in the context of the Theravada Buddhits scripture and to study the enlightenment and the Ten Virtues of venerable Bhakkulathera in term of document research. Clarified and analyzed data are taken from the Theravāda Buddhist scriptures namely, the Tipitaka, commentaries, sub- commentaries, the Visuddhimagga and related academic texts and researches then composed, explained in details, corrected and verified by Buddhist scholars.  The study found that:

The word enlightenment means having thorough knowledge in the Four Noble Truths, which one can attain the Four Paths, Four Fruitions and Nibbāna.  Such persons will become a Sotāpanna, Sakadāgāmī, Anāgāmi and an Arahant respectively. By following the principle of the thirty-seven virtues, which are the main elements for practitioners to attain enlightenment.  Also the enlightenment can be obtained differently according to the merit-based in the previous life and present life.  For example, some people get enlightened by listening, some people get enlightened by following the principle of the Nine Vipassañānas or the Sixteen Vipassañānas, some people get enlightened by the Seven Anupassanañānas, some people get enlightened by Yonisomanasikāra, which is Tacapạncakakhammathāna, some people get enlightened the direct answering from the Buddha. Therefore, to be enlightened in Buddhism comes in different forms and levels, with different knowledge and abilities.  This is the reason why the Buddha had to appoint his followers in many positions according to their abilities and they are called Asīti or main disciples.

The practice to attain the enlightenment means to perform many types of merit such as donation, observe the precepts, and get ordained to attain the Jhānas̄amāpatti. When one often performs these merits, they will become a charismatic of the Ten Virtues. There are ten Pāramitā, which are: Dāna Pāramitā, Sīla Pāramitā, Nekkhamma Pāramitā, Paññā Pāramitā, Viriya Pāramitā, Khanti Pāramitā, Sacca Pāramitā, Adhiṭṭhāna Pāramitā, Mettā Pāramitā and Upekkhā Pāramitā. They can be divided into 3 main groups: 1) charity,  or Dāna Pāramitā, 2) donate organs, flesh and blood to others called Dāna Uppa Pāramitā and 3) giving life to others as a Dāna called Dānaparamat Pāramitā, and etc. These Pāramitā are one’s foundation in order to attain enlightenment in the future.

Bhakkula thera had done these merits in many past lives, then he attained the Jhāna s̄amāpatti in his last life.  He had a family life until he was 80 years old, and decided to ordain as a Buddhist monk. After ordination for 7 days, in the 8th day he became an Arahat with the Four Discrimination, Six kinds of Superknowledge and The Eignt stages of rerease. Later on he has been praised by Buddha that he was Excellent in “Sickless”. For the approach to achieve enlightenment of Pāramitā. Thera is that he used the seven Anupassanas which are: the consideration of Five Aggregates to see that things are impermanent, suffering and non-self,  to see the boredom, relief-ness, decay and returning of all judgement. He considered until he gained the expertise in this field. Finally, he attained the Arhatship, which is the ultimate goal. He preferred to stay in the forest and not sleeping for 80 years. When he was 160 years old, he passed away among monks. He was the oldest of all monks. At  that time.​

Download