A study of Buddhist Disciplines in Vinaya Tipitaka

Abstract

The main purposes of this thematic paper were to study Buddhist disciplines in Buddhist scripture and to study value of the disciplines towards Thai Buddhists' practice. This was a documentary research with the descriptive analysis.

 A result of this study was found that the disciplines were the practical regulation in the Sangha's traditions, ceremonies, a way of life and duty in order to grow moral behaviour and peaceful life. All regulations were the standard of self-training or self-control though the control of monks and novices' behaviour, living and duties. The Buddhist disciplines were divided into two types. The first was Anagariya-vinaya. It was monks' disciplines: living without transgressing the disciplines and observance of fourfold Parisuddhisila because the Sangha was a society without any class. The second type was Agariya-vinaya. It was the householder's disciplines, namely the lay people: five precepts, eight precepts by refraining

The value of disciplines for the development of life and societies made the society and the nation peaceful and happy. The social organization in Buddhism was to use Buddhist Dhamma-vinaya applied to the society and to follow the Threefold Training. The problem of transgressing the disciplines in Thai societies caused the criminal problems and violation in the family. A person who followed eight precepts or Uposatha-sila was a good man to make the society full of morality and to bring peace and happiness to the society for ever.