An Analytical Study of Causes and Factors Indriya’s Concentration in Bhikkuvagga in The Dhammapada Commentary

Abstract

In this thesis, three objectives were This research has three objectives: 1) to study the structure and content of Bhikkhu Vagga of Dhammapada; 2) to study the restraint of faculties in Bhikkhu Vagga of Dhammapada; and 3) to analyze the causes and conditions behind the restraint of faculties in Bhikkhu Vagga of Dhammapada. This study employed documentary research methodology by analyzing data from the Tipiṭaka and its commentaries. The results reveal that the structure and content of Bhikkhu Vagga in the 25th book of the Tipitaka are written in verse, while in the commentaries are in both verse and prose. Thereare of 12 stories in total: 1) five monks, 2) a monk who killed a swan, 3) a monk
named Kokālika, 4) venerable Dhammārāma, 5) the traitor monk, 6) the
Brāhmin who offered alms food to the Buddha, 7) a devout lady and the thieves,
8) meditation on jasmine flowers, 9) venerable Santakāya, 10) venerable Nańgala
Kula, 11) a Monk named Vakkali, and 12) the novice monk Sumana who
performed a miracle. In Bhikkhu Vagga, faculties involving the eyes, ears, nose,
tongue, body, and mind are restrained so that they are not attached to things
that come into contact. Other dhammas, such as precepts, concentration,
wisdom, faith, effort, patience, non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion, moral
shame and dread, mindfulness and comprehension, non-attachment to the five
aggregates, and non-bodily and mentally impetuousness, play an important role
in restraining faculties and enabling practitioners to obtain Nibbāna accordingly.
The causes of the restraint of faculties in Bhikkhu Vagga include giving, faith,
tolerance, effort, mindfulness, precepts, concentration, wisdom, carefulness,
virtues for protection, good company, pleasant speech, 37 virtues partaking of
enlightenment (Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma), the five aggregates, zest and joy, and
salutation, all of which leads to the restraint of all doors, such as, the constant
restraint of hands, feet, speech, body, and mind; meditation; the elimination of
greed, hatred, and delusion; and finally, the attainment of enlightenment.