AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF LEARNING ABOUT SUFFERING CAUSED BY LOVE AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES IN PIYAVAGGA THE DHAMMAPADA COMMENTARY

Abstract

In this thesis, three objectives were purposely made: 1)to study the background, structure, and content of the Piyavagga in the Dhammapada Commentary, 2) to analyze the learning about suffering caused by love among people of different ages in the Piyavagga in the Dhammapada Commentary, and 3) to propose guidelines for preventing suffering caused by love among people of different ages in contemporary Thai society based on the principles found in the Piyavagga in the Dhammapada Commentary. This research employs a documentary research methodology done by studying primary and secondary sources, Tipiṭaka and the Dhammapada Commentary from both Pāli and Thai languages including academic texts, scholarly books, and relevant research studies concerning love and suffering.

The research findings reveal that the Piyavagga in the Dhammapada Commentary, composed by the Indian scholar Buddhaghosa, contains nine stories related to love. These stories can be categorized according to four stages of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each story reflects various forms of suffering caused by love, such as separation, attachment, and unfulfilled desire. The study identifies age-appropriate approaches to preventing suffering from love as presented in the Piyavagga. These include nurturing children with loving-kindness, fostering self-discipline among adolescents, encouraging adults to study and apply Dhamma teachings concerning love, and promoting mindfulness and contemplation on the nature of separation among the elderly. These guidelines can be applied to support psychological well-being in society in a practical and meaningful way.