DEVELOPMENT OF A KNOWLEDGE SET OF A MODEL OF DHAMMA TEACHING FOR BUDDHIST ELDERLY AND NEARLY DEATH PERSON APPEARED IN TIPITAKA

Abstract

This research article aimed to; 1) study the elderly Buddhist disciples and those who were in a near-death state in the Tipitaka, 2) study the Dhamma teaching of elderly Buddhist disciples and those in a near-death state in the Tipitaka, 3) develop a knowledge set of a model of Dhamma teaching for elderly Buddhist disciples and those in a near-death state in the Tipitaka. This was qualitative research using documentary investigation and in-depth interviews with 15 key informants by document analysis and data collection through interviews, presented by content analysis. The research results found that; 1) The Elderly Buddhist disciples and those with a near-death state in the Tipitaka revealed that the teaching methods include discussion-based teaching, lecture-based teaching, problem-solving teaching, and rule-setting teaching. Examples of elderly disciples included Venerable Aññakoṇḍañña, Venerable Uruvelakassapa, Venerable Upāli, Venerable Kāludāyi, Venerable Mahākāccāyana, Venerable Sāriputta, Venerable Mahākassapa, Venerable Rāhula, Venerable Vaṅgīsa, Venerable Sobhita, and Venerable Mahāmoggallāna. Examples of those in a near-death state include Venerable Pūtigattatissa, Venerable Vakkali, Venerable Uttarā Therī, and story of Bhikkhu afflicted with severe distress and wished to disrobe. 2) The teaching of elderly Buddhist disciples and those in a near-death state in the Tripitaka indicated that the Buddha taught systematically with principles, content, techniques, and media, leading the disciples to enlightenment in final. These disciples played significant roles for spreading Buddhism and understanding death as a natural law according to the Three Characteristics: impermanence, suffering, and non-self. The Buddha taught the disciples to cultivate mindfulness through Buddhist meditation practices. Examples include Venerable Pūtigatta Tissa, Venerable Vakkali, Venerable Uttarā Therī, and a distressed and emaciated Bhikkhu who wished to disrobe. 3) The development of a knowledge set of a model of Dhamma teaching for elderly Buddhist disciples and those in a near-death state in the Tipitaka was found that (1) Teaching principles were based on current realities, (2) Content appropriate to the age,  the teacher and the situation, (3) Teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, Q&A, and practice, (4) Teaching techniques tailored to the temperament and needs of the learners, (5) Teaching materials included utilizing both natural and modern media, suitable for individuals, and including activities of mindfulness investigation, and (6) Evaluation methods must focus on real-life outcomes to improve the effectiveness of teaching elderly disciples and those in a near-death state, enabling them to achieve enlightenment before death.