THE USE OF SIMILES IN THE DHAMMA TALKS OF PHRA BODHIYANATHERA (CHA SUBHADDO)
Keywords:
Similes,, Dhamma Talks,, Monks,, Laymen, , Phra Bodhiyanathera (Cha Subhaddo)Abstract
The objectives of this research article are to 1) study the strategies of using similes in the Dhamma talks of Phra Bodhiyanathera (Cha Subhaddo) and 2) compare similes in the Dhamma talks of Phra Bodhiyanathera (Cha Subhaddo) for monks and laymen. This study is part of the research on the language strategies found in the Dhamma talks of Phra Bodhiyanathera (Cha Subhaddo). It is a qualitative documentary research analyzing 67 Dhamma books of Phra Bodhiyanathera (Cha Subhaddo).
The findings showed that: 1) The similes found in the Dhamma talks are distinctive. The use of similes aimed towards monks is the comparison between abstract words and concrete words, and between concrete words and concrete words, for example, mind vs. tiger, mind vs. leaf, suffering vs. splinter or thorn, meditation practice vs. fish catching, etc. The similes aimed towards laymen are also between abstract words and concrete words, and between concrete words and concrete words, for example, mind vs. knife, religion vs. salt, body vs. ice cube, body vs. appliance, human life vs. fruit, etc. 2) Regarding the results of using similes for comparison, it was found that the comparison between abstract words and concrete words is emphasized for the Dhamma talks aimed towards monks. In such cases, abstracts words are used to emphasize mind, happiness, and suffering for monks to ponder formless things which can be felt only through the heart and to gain a clear understanding of the intangible in order to totally eliminate doubts about problems. Meanwhile, for laymen, abstract words are used to convey the Buddhist concepts and teachings, which need to be studied and practiced to gain the highest benefit. As for the use of similes to compare concrete words and concrete words aimed towards monks, concrete words are used to highlight Dhamma practice which needs to be observed and performed strictly. On the other hand, for laymen, the use of concrete words emphasizes body, mind, and life. All the concrete words used for the comparison involve nature and things surrounding us, which is a common experience of most people, in order to promote imagination and understanding of Dhamma more clearly and easily.
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