A Study of Practice Way of Phassāyatana for Life Developement

Abstract

The study included the following objectives: (1) to study Phassāyatana in Buddhist texts; (2) to investigate and explore persons who had experience the world through Phassāyatana in Buddhist scriptures; and (3) to study the practical guidelines toward Phassāyatana for the development of life. The study employed documentary research by studying related data from Tipiṭaka and Commentaries.

From the study, (1) it is found that Phassāyatana is the natural state of the mind working process which is cognition arising. They are the birth of Vedanā (feeling) such as Sukha (happiness), Dukkha (suffering) or Upekkhā (neutral feeling). The followings six kinds of Phassāyatana are divided according to Ᾱyatana (specific sense sphere) i.e.: Cakkhuphassāyatana (eye-contact), Sotaphassāyatana (Ear-contact), Ghãnayaphassāyatana (nose-contact), Jivahāphassāyatana (tongue-contact), Kayāphassāyatana (body-contact), Manophassāyatana (mind-contact). (2) from the investigated and explored persons who had experience the world through all six kinds of Phassāyatana, which is the engagement with the world together with working of Citta (mind) and Cetasika (mental factor). The arising of diverse and complex perception such as Kusalavipāka (good result as happiness) and Akusalavipāka (bad result as suffering) and then the following continuous processes causes different kinds of Kilesa (defilements), Taṇhā (cravings), and Upādāna (attachments). (3) the practical guidelines toward Phassāyatana for the development of life, which is Sati-sampajan̅n̅a (mindfulness and awareness) as a principle that is the key of the practice. The practical guidelines are followings i.e. 1) the using of Sati (mindfulness) be aware or be not careless in being of the senses with Yoniso-manasikāra (analytical of reflection). 2) the using of Phassāyatana through the senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind) with Manasikāra (determination in the mind). 3) the working process of Phassāyatana, through the senses should be performed correctly, by using Sati-sampajan̅n̅a (mindfulness and awareness) as not be create the cravings, which are Kāya-sanṅkhāra (bodily formation), Vaci-saṅkhāra (verbal formation), Citta-saṅkhāra (mental formation), by the development Indriya-san̅vara (control of the senses) 4) the development by focusing Phassāyatana for practicing Satipaṭṭhāna (four foundations of mindfulness) such as Kāya, Vedana, Citta, Dhamma