scholarly article AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE BEING A SAMAṆA THE MAHĀ-ASSAPURA SUTTA

Abstract

This research article has three objectives: (1) to study the structure and content of the Maha Assapura Sutta; (2) to study the principles of being a monk in the Maha Assapur Sutta; and (3) to analyze being a monk in the Maha Assapur Sutta. This is a documentary research in which the researcher has studied and researched information sources, namely, the Tripitaka, commentaries, books, and theses related to this Sutta. The research results found that:

The Maha Assapura Sutta is a Sutta that deals with events in the great Maha Assapurnikaya Sutta. It appears in the Sutta Pitaka, Majjhimanikaya, Mulapannasaka, Mahayamavagga, Sutta 9. In this Sutta, the Buddha has explained the principles that make one become a monk and a Brahmin, namely (1) shamelessness, (2) purity of bodily conduct, (3) purity of speech, (4) purity of mindfulness, (5) purity of livelihood, (6) restraint of the senses, (7) knowing moderation in food, (8) constantly striving for awakening, (9) developing mindfulness and awareness, (10) abandoning the five hindrances. These ten principles of Dhamma, he advised the monks to practice in order from low to high, which he called “works that should be done more and more”, until reaching the tenth principle, abandoning the five hindrances and being able to attain the four dhyanas and the three knowledges that are the results of the practice. In Buddhism, a samana is a “calm person”, which refers to a monk who trains himself with morality, concentration and wisdom until his physical, verbal and mental behavior is calm from sin, including those who suppress defilements, aiming to become an Ariya. The Buddha classified samana into 4 types according to the level of enlightenment: Sotapanna, Sakadagami, Anagami and Arahant. He also emphasized that a true samana must have calm physical, verbal and mental behavior. Being a samana is not just an external appearance, but being a samana comes from internal cultivation, which is liberation from all defilements and impurities.

 From the analysis, the researcher found that being a samana in the Maha-Assapur Sutta is a profound and comprehensive concept, which is not limited to external appearance, but is an internal state that must be cultivated by strictly practicing according to the ten principles of Dhamma, which are like steps on the ladder to becoming a complete samana. The researcher synthesized the ten principles into the three Tri-sikkha, finding that the Sila-sikkha is an important foundation for controlling the body and speech. Prevent gross defilements and create a mental state ready for concentration. Citta-sikkha helps develop concentration to be stable, suppresses moderate defilements and leads to purity of mind. And Panny-sikkha is the highest point that gives rise to the knowledge and true understanding of the three characteristics. It can destroy subtle defilements and lead to Nirvana.

Keywords: samana; samananess; Maha-Assapura Sutta