PAPA : An Analytical Study in the Concept of Theravãda Buddhism

Abstract

     The teaching regarding to Pãpa (Sin) is a very significant scheme of the Lord Buddha's teachings. He teaches Pãpa through Three Admonitions of the Buddha (Buddha › ovada) as follows: to prevent from any sin, to give up any evil, and to purify the mind. The above mentioned approaches will bring us to a noble path and a peaceful mind. Since any kinds of sufferings originate from those sins and their results will affect oneself and others. Hence, an analytical study about Pãpa (Sin) is regarded as a main purpose of this analytical study in order to comprehend what is the real sin according to Theravãda Buddhism; what types of action are defined as "sin" ; and what is the classification between good and evil. At the present time, there are a lot of debatable issues: such as Cloning, Doctor's Euthanasia to HIV patience, and killing believers of other sects, being discussed whether they are good or evil. The main ideas of the finding are as follows : the meaning of Papa (Sin), the origination of Papa (Sin), the characteristics and types of Papa (Sin), and the impact of Papa (Sin). When the meaning and concepts of Papa are understood, there will not be problems on the judgement of good and evil, or at least it will be judged most accurately.