The Mutually-Supporting Pair in the Chapter of Pairs of the Dhammapada Commentary

A Concept of the Pair of Supporting-Each-Other Couple in the Pairs Chapter of Dhammapada Commentary

Abstract

Abstract

            The purpose of this research article is to study the concept of the pair of Supporting-Each-Other Couple in the pairs chapter of Dhammapada Commentary. The design of this research is a qualitative research, by using data collection methods from the two stories of Sanjayaparipajaka (Sanjayavatthu) and Devadatta (Devadattavatthu) in the Pairs Chapter of Dhammapada Commentary and the related documentaries and research works, and then analyzing and interpreting the gathered data to present the objective points in an analytical descriptive form. The results of study revealed that the concept of the pair of supporting-each-other couple refer to two opposite persons in thinking, seeing, or acting, a concept that supports and encourages each other to move forward together for the better, or acts differently from the other party in some respects. But what they did differently encourages the other party, who is better, at helping, thinking, teaching, thinking about the way of doing things, or goes and supports the bad side to do well, to get repentant thinking, to ask for forgiveness, to apologize, and to worship, until it finally create a great consequence. The concept of the pair of supporting-each-other couple appears as a conception in the stories of Sanjayaparipajaka (Sanjayavatthu) and Devadatta (Devadattavatthu) in the Pairs Chapter of Dhammapada Commentary. Though they mean the conceptual opposition between Upatissa and Kolita or Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, and between the Buddha and Devadatta, yet the contents in the stories signify to show the concept of the pair of supporting-each-other couple in conception.

Keywords :  Concept of the Pair of  Supporting-Each-Other Couple,  Pairs Chapter, Dhammapada Commentary