An Analytical Study of Ariyapaṭipadā in Buddhist Scriptures

Abstract

The objectives of this research are: 1) to study on meaning, background, and importance of Ariyapaṭipadā in Buddhist scriptures; 2) to study on important Dhamma Principles shown in Ariyapaṭipadā; and 3) to analyze on the guidelines for practicing Ariyapaṭipadā in Buddhist scriptures. This research was conducted in the form of documentary research.  

            The results revealed that:

1. Ariyapaṭipadā is the principles on practicing of noble Individuals that were originated from Buddha’s words for admiring good paṭipadā of all noble Individuals consisted of 9 elements including: 1) Ariyavaṃsapaṭipadā; 2) Rathavinītapaṭipadā; 3) Mahāgosiṅga- paṭipadā; 4) Mahāsuññatāpaṭipadā; 5) Anaṅgaṇapaṭipadā; 6) Dhammadāyādapaṭipadā;
   7) Moneyyapaṭipadā; 8) Tuvaṭakapaṭipadā; and 9) Candūpamapaṭipadā. Ariyapaṭipadā is important because it was originated from enlightenment of Buddha and it is also the practice principle that is the life standard of all noble Individuals who will become the field of merit of male and female followers.
2. Nine elements of the important Dhamma principles shown in Ariyapaṭipadā could be ordered as follows: 1) being detached with the 4 requisites; 2) the 7 Visuddhis; 3) the 4 Sammapadānas; 4) Suññatābhalasamāpatti; 5) abstain passion, anger, and lust; 6) study and practice Dhamma taught by Buddha and be detached with the 4 requisites; 7) do self-practice for becoming Asekha Munī; 8) do self-development based on threefold training; and 9) do not mingle with laymen and be detached with the 4 requisites.
3. The guidelines for practicing Ariyapaṭipadā are as follows: 1) Person practicing Ariyavaṃsapaṭipadā must live with solitude on the 4 requisites; 2) Person practicing Rathavinītapaṭipadā must practice for purity and being away from lust; 3) Person practicing Mahāgosiṅgapaṭipadā must practice to prevent and abstain lust completely; 4) Person practicing Mahāsuññatāpaṭipadā must not mingle with any group of people and he/she is required to separate for practicing and living with emptiness; 5) Person practicing Anaṅgaṇapaṭipadā must practice until he/she can abstain lust and passion completely; 6) Person practicing Dhammadāyādapaṭipadā must study on Buddhist disciplines and live his/her life with solitude based on the teaching of Buddha as well as consume the 4 requisites modestly; 7) Person practicing Moneyyapaṭipadā must practice to become enlightened on the world and life; 8) Person practicing Tuvaṭakapaṭipadā will develop himself/herself mentally, physically, and intellectually; and 9) Person practicing Candūpamapaṭipadā will not mingle with laymen and live his/her life simply. Persons practicing Ariyapaṭipadā was considered as persons who developed themselves based on threefold training, i.e., morality, mind, and wisdom.