AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE REASONS FOR RENUNCIATION OF PRINCE SIDDHATTHA

Abstract

This thesis has three objectives: 1) to study the ordination in the Buddha’s time in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, 2) to study the scholars’ interpretative views concerning Prince Siddhattha’s giving up the world and related academic works, and 3) to analyze Prince Siddhattha’s causes of giving up the world. This is a qualitative research done by mixed methods, documentary research and in-depth interview of 10 Buddhist scholars. In this research, the content analysis was used to conclude the research.

                 In the research, it was found that many Buddhist scholars hold two opposite views: on the one hand, Prince Siddhattha went forth because of his want in finding out the way leading to the cessation of suffering, on the other hand, he did so due to his political pressure in the Sãkaya parliament. From the analysis of Tipiṭaka, commentaries and Buddhist scholars’s viewpoints, human beings’ real need in search for the end of suffering and value of ordination, it clearly showed that the cultivation of perfections leading to becoming the Buddha in the past life whereby the cessation of suffering could be made was  the Prince Siddhattha’s chief possible cause in giving up the world including the four passing sights, the insight of vicissitude in sensual pleasure and value in search of Moksha in the Buddha’s time.