This research paper has 2 objectives; 1) to study the enlightenment in the Theravãda Buddhist scriptures and 2) to study the methods of enlightenment by Sukkhavipassaka in the Theravãda Buddhist scriptures. The study had been done through collecting information from Pali Canon (Tipitaka), Pali commentary (Atthakatha), Pali literature, documents, textbooks, academic journals as well as related research papers. All were analyzed, compiled and presented in the form of descriptive research.
The study found that the enlightenment means the realization of the Four Noble Truths, the attainting of supramundane states or 9 Lokuttaradhamma; the Four Paths, Four Fruits, and Nibbāna ,the one who attained the enlightenment is called the Noble One, they are Sotāpanna, Sakadāgāmi, Anāgāmi, and Arahanta. The practice of meditation can be done by two ways; Samatha-bhāvanā or tranquillity development and Vipassanā-bhāvanā or insight development. The process leading to enlightenment relies on Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma: 4 Satipatthāna, 4 Sammappadhāna, 4 Iddhipāna, 5 Indriya, 5 Bala, 7 Bojjhaṅga and Aṭṭhaṅggika-magga which are principles for support each other. All principles will encourage progress of all introspection and support to enlightenment by using the insight meditation based on principle of 4 Saṭipatthāna.
The enlightenment by Sukkhavipassaka method or bare-insight is to attain the dhamma as Arahanta called as Pannavimutti referring to the enlightened one through wisdom which is Vipassanayanika or Suddhavipassanayanika. This kind of enlightenment uses only bare insight for exhuosting all defilements and pains leading to Nibbana by only wisdom. Sukkhavipassaka one was one among 5 liberations, without gaining trances or formless trance, without 8 liberations experience but attaining Arahanta by insight developing only. After realized, he was called as tasteless enlightenment because he uses only temporary concentration as a base of insight for entering into liberation without gaining any deep absorption.
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