An Analysis of Buddhist Philosophy in the Literature of Triphūm Phraruang and Mahābharata of Bhagavad Gitā

Abstract

This qualitative research paper had four objectives: 1) to study Buddhist philosophy in general; 2) to study the literature on Traiphūm Praruang and Mahābharata Literature in the Bhagavad Gitā; 3)to analyze Buddhist philosophy in Traiphūm Praruang literature and Mahābharata Literature in the Bhagavad Gitā; and 4) to create new knowledge from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy on Traiphūm Praruang literature and Mahābharata Literature in the Bhagavad Gitā.

The results showed that Buddhist philosophy views life as consisting of five aggregates under the law of three characteristics and rejects the ego, which is stable, accepting samsara according to the law of karma, and the ultimate goal is Nibbāna. Traiphūm Pra Ruang refers to the world consisting of 3 realms (Phopbhūm): 1) Kāmabhūm, 2) Rūpabhūm and 3) Arūpabhūm. The realms indicate the blissful state for those who do goodness and hell for those who do bad actions. Again, the realms are the places to support the cycle of life and death of all beings in various forms, corresponding to the concept of the law of karma and samsara in Buddhist philosophy. However, the realms in the Traiphūm Praruang emphasize on governing the people of the state to be good people, while the Tripitaka emphasizes the way to the end of suffering by attaining Nibbāna. However, the Bhagavad Gitā confirms the existence of the ātman which is the ultimate truth that exists above the transformation and human ignorance as the cause of life to cycle through rebirth endlessly. When eliminating ignorance, one can attain moksha through the practice of yoga, and the results of action depend on the power of Brahma. Therefore, both the Bhagavad Gitā and Traiphūm Pra Ruang teach people to focus on good action. The principles obtained from research can be concluded into ‘TGUBP-Model’.