The Characteristics that Facilitate Spiritual Cultivation in Theravāda Buddhism, Thailand
Theravāda Buddhism has been practiced by Thai people for a long time and is considered as the Buddhist way. In today’s fast-paced society, with the evolution of technology, the social context has changed according to the modern world and has an impact on the way of life of people. As a result, the d...
| Authors: | ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Common Ground Publishing
2022
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| In: |
The international journal of religion and spirituality in society
Year: 2022, Volume: 12, Issue: 1, Pages: 159-170 |
| Further subjects: | B
Buddhist Pathway
B Virtue–Concentration–Wisdom B Buddhism B Spiritual Cultivation B Sacred Place |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Theravāda Buddhism has been practiced by Thai people for a long time and is considered as the Buddhist way. In today’s fast-paced society, with the evolution of technology, the social context has changed according to the modern world and has an impact on the way of life of people. As a result, the definition of the practice and spiritual development of the Buddhist way is questioned. This research aims to study and discuss the importance of a Buddhist sacred place and its meditation practices to develop one’s mind and life to gain wisdom and insights from observances and practices. To achieve this aim, a site study was conducted with a group of Buddhist practitioners (Theravāda Order of the Dhammayut Movement) at the Buddha Puja Temple in Bangkok. The temple is unique as it is used strictly for Dhamma practice by both monks and people in the community. The temple is also sufficiently prepared to promote the principles of life development through Pariyatti-saddhamma, the true doctrine of study, Pañipatti-saddhamma, the true doctrine of practice, as well as Pañivedha-saddhamma, the true doctrine of knowledge. This research principle uses a qualitative approach, that is, a study through the synthesis of Buddhist principles along with a study of the spiritual development of lay followers in the community, with monks who teach and lead the practice, to search for interaction among humans, the Buddhist teachings, activities, and appropriate contexts in sacred places. The results of the in-depth observation during the field study, which included participating in activities and discussions, can be described with three components as follows: (1) Monks as the spiritual anchors who represent the exemplary uncompromising attitudes of humans who aim to develop life to the highest goals in Buddhism, that is, enlightenment and liberation; (2) The uncompromising conduct of observance along with the monks toward virtue-concentration-wisdom to uphold the awareness of mental development of the lay followers to reach the principles of nature according to Buddhist principles; (3) The sappàya, the suitable context of a sacred place, that promotes spiritual cultivation leading to meditation. All these three characteristics contribute to the connection between belief, faith, and practice. These then lead to the delicate minds of humans and create a sacred space inside their minds, hence resulting in an anchor to drive existence within the framework of the Buddhist way of life. |
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| ISSN: | 2154-8641 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The international journal of religion and spirituality in society
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v12i01/159-170 |