There are two objectives of this research paper; 1) to study of the enlightenment in Theravada Buddhist scriptures and 2) to study of the enlightenment of Mahākaccāyañathera. By studying the information from the Theravada Buddhist scriptures and other related documents, then, composed, summarized, analyzed, explained in details, corrected and verified by advisor.

From the  research, the findings were that the enlightenment was a realization of Four Noble Truth and entering into 9 supramundanes; 4 Path, 4 Fruits and Nibbana becoming Noble One, they are Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahanta. The way to attain enlightenment can be completed by following principle of insight development or Four Foundaton of Mindfulness by observing body, feeling, mind and mental objects. It was contemplation on Nama-rupa or five aggregates in order to see the true nature of Three Common Characteristics appearing at present moment. Having completed insight development, practitioners can abandon all cankers and latent dispositions entering to path, fruit and Nibbana finally and became a Noble One in Buddhism.

Mahākaccāyañathera had practiced insight meditation until he had attained highest enlightenment, Arahant with 4 discriminations, 8 liberations and 6 higher knowledge because he had listened the Buddha’s teaching, by following the contents of teaching, observing the rise and falls of consciousness which is a contemplation on foundation of mindfulness. Having enlightenment, he was very intelligent and expert in preaching, therefore the Buddha granted him an excellent position in expounding Dhamma teaching with clear details.

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