THE RELATIONSHIP DETWEEN ANUPUDDIKATHA AND FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

Abstract

The objectives of the article are  1)  to study the principles of Anupubbikatha, 2)  to study the principles of the Four Noble Truths,  and  3)  to identify the relationship between  Anupubbiktha and  the Four Noble Truths.   The study found that  the Buddhist teachings aim to develop the practitioners’ mental level gradually upto the end of suffering, teaching  from the easy to the difficult and  from concrete to abstract. This teaching style is called  “Anupubbikatha”, the gradual instruction meaning step-by-step or not shortcut teaching.  Such teachings upgrade the listeners’ mind gradually.    They focus on the sacrifice to eliminate stinginess and selfishness, leading to several kinds of happiness in the present life.  They also indicate disadvantages of the bliss caused by lust, anger and delusion resulting in suffering in this world and the next one.  Moreover, they point out free-suffering happiness and  introduce the guidelines for the extinction of the rebirth cycle, leading to the goal of the cessation of suffering taught by the Lord Buddha.   It is very important to access to the  important doctrines of the Lord Buddha, especially Chaturiyasacca  or the Four Noble Truths leading people to be noble ones as a fundamental stage,  then access to the cessation of  suffering, destroying the rebirth cycle and eliminating defilements, and finally get to Nirvana, the ultimate goal of Buddhism.