Journal of Buddhist Studies Chulalongkorn University

Philosophy, Science and Buddhism

Tavivat Puntarigvivat — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Abstract

In this article, Assistant Professor Dr. Tavivat Puntarigvivat, one of the renowned Buddhist scholars in Thailand, offers a reflection on the key Buddhist concepts of mind and anatta (non-self) based on his recollection and insights. In this reflection, he engages with phenomena related to human desires for immortality, scientific advancements such as Newtonian physics and quantum physics, and significant philosophical ideas, including idealism, materialism, and naturalism. This reflection interacts with societal movements, making it interesting and prompting ongoing contemplation about Buddhist concepts in the modern world.

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

Phosan Phosan — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

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

The Relationship between Upekkhã and the Noble Eightfold Path

Anchalee Piyapanyawong — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The research aims to clarify the meaning of Upekkhā and the development of Upekkhā in Advanced Buddhist Ethics. The research finds that Upekkhā means seeing approaching the neutrality of mind and seeing stability in the neutrality of the mind resulting from the elimination of defilements of the Noble Eightfold Path. The important process that causes Upekkhā to occur is the creation of the Noble Eightfold Path, which brings about neutrality of the mind. And the most important step in making all 8 Noble Paths happen in unison is to perform effective labeling to create Right Speech consisting of Parikamma-nimitta, Parikamma-bhāvanā, Uggaha-nimitta, and Paṭibhāga-nimitta. Therefore, the development of Upekkhā in Advanced Buddhist Ethics can only be achieved by seriously practicing insight meditation.

A Comparative and Analytical Study of the two Versions of Paṭhamasambodhi by His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch (Sā Pussadevo)

Phramaha Uthai Padthapim, Sompornnuch Tansrisook — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The Supreme Patriarch (Sā Pussadevo) wrote two versions of Pathamasambodhi, i.e. preaching version and Dhammasombat version, in the reign of King Rama IV and V respectively. This article aims to compare and analyze the content of the 2 Pathamasambodhi works as well as analyze the causes or factors influencing the versions during the two periods. It is found that the two versions are rather the same. The preaching version is synoptic, while the Dhammasombat version is the detailed one. The explanations in the texts are different from that in the Pali commentary and the popular Pathamasambodhi work by Prince Patriarch Paramanuchitchinorot. This reflects the author’s empiricism and rationalism of those ages. To emphasize the human Buddha’s wisdom, the details on the Buddha’s characteristics, insights, and magics according to the Pali canon have been preserved, while the details on inhuman beings assisting the Buddha’s insight have still been dropped. This is clear in the Dhammasombat version, in which other details except for the Brahma’s invitation to Dhamma dissemination have been added in accordance with the storyline of Pali canon. It can be said that the Supreme Patriarch adhered to the original concept of human Buddha according to Vajiranana Bhikkhu, the establisher of Dhammayuttika sect, even though the King Rama V promoted religious books following the Pali canon.

A Comparison between the Ethics of Buddhism and the Ethics of Immanuel Kant

Somparn Promta — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Those who study the ethics of Immanuel Kant and the ethics of Buddhism have usually found the similarities between these two ethical systems. This research needs to deeply study the differences and the similarities between these two ethical systems. And it has been found that there are both similarities and differences between the ethics of Buddhism and the ethics of Kant.

The differences lie in that in Buddhism there are both the virtue ethics and the ethics which gives the definitions for the moral terms, while in the ethics of Kant there is only the second kind of ethics.

The similarities between these two ethical systems lie in that both of them believe that the good is fixed and does not depend on human and social conditions. However, there are the different views concerning the foundation of goodness in both systems. The foundation of goodness in Kant’s ethics is the good will, and the foundation of goodness in Buddhist ethics is the kusalamula (the root of goodness.)

ฺิBook Review A middle way of Nâgârjuna

Adirek Lokanang — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

ความว่าง ทางสายกลาง และการอิงอาศัยกันมีอยู่ของสรรพสิ่ง ถือว่าเป็นหลักคำสอนที่พระพุทธศาสนามหายานทุกนิกายต่างก็นำมาตีความให้ความหมายและถกเถียงกันไปตามมติของคณาจารย์ในแต่ละสำนักอย่างกว้างขวาง ทั้งนี้เพราะพระพุทธศาสนาภายหลังสมัยพระเจ้าอโศกมหาราชเป็นต้นมา ต่างก็ได้รับอิทธิพลจากคำสอนเรื่องดังกล่าว ด้วยกันแทบทั้งสิ้น สาเหตุที่เป็นเช่นนี้เพราะสำนักพุทธในยุคหลังโดยมากจะพัฒนาหลักคำสอนในเชิงปรัชญา ซึ่งทำให้มีการถกเถียงกันถึงความหมายของคำว่า ความว่าง ทางสายกลาง ว่าหมายถึงอะไร สำนักที่มีชื่อเสียงที่สุดที่พยายามแก้ปัญหาที่กำลังถกเถียงกันอยู่นี้คือ สำนักมาธยมิกะ ผู้วางรากฐานคำสอนคือ ท่านนาคารชุนะ มาธยมิกะแปลว่าผู้นับถือคำสอนเรื่องทางสายกลาง มาธยมิกะมีชื่อเรียกอีกอย่างหนึ่งว่า ศูนยตวาท หมายถึงคำสอนที่ประกาศความว่างของสิ่งทั้งหลายเป็นเรื่องสำคัญที่แสดงให้เห็นทางสายกลางตามแนวทางที่สำนักนี้สอน แต่ก็เป็นประเด็นที่สร้างปัญหาในการอธิบายคำสอนของสำนักนี้ด้วย