Understanding the Core Teachings in Buddhism การเรียนรู้หลักธรรมสำคัญในพระพุทธศาสนา

Abstract

The teachings of Buddhism are profound and challenging to understand clearly as they encompass both theoretical principles and practical applications that must be harmonized. The Tipitaka in Pali language (Thai version), the primary source of Theravada Buddhist doctrines, contains 45 volumes, approximately 22,400 pages. However, because Buddhist teachings originated from the same root, once ones grasp the method of study, the abundant teachings will progressively and systematically integrate into their understanding process. This article illustrates that before his enlightenment, the Buddha explored and analyzed essential principles such as the Four Elements (Dhātu), the Six Sense Bases (Āyatana), or the Dependent Origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda). On the night of his enlightenment, he attained the Threefold Knowledge (Vijjā) and realized the Four Noble Truths (Ariyasacca), becoming the Supreme Enlightened One. In essence, the significant events that occurred to the Buddha on that night were: the complete eradication of the mental defilements (Āsava) and the realization of Ariyasacca. This realization involved synthesizing Paṭiccasamuppāda into the first three of Ariyasacca and summarizing his experiences during the six years of intense practice into the path to the cessation of suffering, known as Magga. Thus, Paṭiccasamuppāda and Ariyasacca are interconnected and form the foundation of Buddhist teachings. Both of these teachings also point to the principle of Idappaccayatā, which is the doctrine of conditionality.  Understanding this core set of teachings will facilitate comprehension of other Buddhist doctrines, such as: the Buddha’s exclamation (Buddha-udāna) uttered on the seventh day after his enlightenment, the insight (Dhamma-cakkhu) gained by Venerable Aññakoṇḍañña after hearing the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta and the "Ye-dhamma" stanza taught by Venerable Assaji to the young man, Upatissa.