The purposes of this thesis are (1) to study about Nirodha Samāpatti in the Theravāda Buddhism, (2) to study about the Buddhist monks’ and the Buddhist scholars’ perspective in Nirodha Samāpatti, and also to study about the Thai Buddhists’ beliefs in Nirodha Samāpatti.
From the study, it is found that Nirodha Samāpatti is the state of the extinction of feeling and perception in which the verbal, the bodily (inhale and exhale), and the mental functions have temporarily become suspended. Prince Siddhattha was the first One who had discovered Nirodha Samāpatti in the night of his Enlightenment, and Nirodha Samāpatti is the witness of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. The specific conditions for the ones who are eligible for entering the state of Nirodha Samāpatti are designated to only the Arahantas and the Anāgāmīs who are perfectly the master of all the 8 absorptions (Jhānas).
The Buddhist monks’ and the scholars’ perspectives in Thailand of Nirodha Samāpatti are according to the Theravāda Scriptures, as the mentioned monks and the scholars have the fundamental knowledge in Theravāda Tipitฺaka and Commentaries. They are of the perspective in compliance with the Theravāda Tradition.
The Thai Buddhists’ understanding of Nirodha Samāpatti at present is divided into two types: (1) they have a correct understanding, according to the doctrinal Scriptures and (2) they have a wrong understanding of Nirodha Samāpatti. The different understanding in this case comes from the different knowledge and different traditions which vary according to the geographical regions.
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