An Analytical Study of Dhamma Depicted in the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were as ศึกษาวิเคราะห์หลักธรรมที่ปรากฏในคัมภีร์มหายานศรัทโธตปาทศาสตร์ An Analytical Study of Dhamma Depicted in the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra  follows: 1) to study the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra, 2) to study the dhamma depicted in the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra, and 3) to analyze the value of dhamma depicted in the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra. The primary data were collected from the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra in Thai version translated by KampholSirimunind and the English version translated by Yoshito S. Hakeda from the Chinese version which Most Venerable Paramartha translated from the original Sanskrit scripture. Additional data were also collected from other sources and related documents.
The results of this research were found as follows:- 
               The Mahayanasaddhotapadasastra was the early Mahayana Buddhist scripture believed to be a masterpiece of Most Venerable Ashvagotra in order to implant in the heart of people a good understanding of basic faith in Mahayana. However, its authentic date is not confirmed. Two Chinese versions translated from the original text of Sanskrit were found and handed down to the present time. The one was translated by Most Venerable Paramartha in A.D. 550 or B.E. 1093, and the other one by Most Venerable Sikshananda in A.D. 700 or B.E. 1243.
               The principle of dhamma in the Mahayanasaddhotapadasastrawas concerned on the concept of Citta or Manovijñãna in terms of mentality, Kilesa or defilements, Sunyatã and Tathatã, the fundamentals of all things, the principle of Sambodhiñãna, and the practices leading to Bodhicitta.
              The value of dhamma as depicted in the Mahayanasaddhota-padasastracould be divided into four aspects, namely; 
             1. On the extinguishment of Aññãna or Avijjã (Ignorance) via the realization of mind or Citta and defilements or Kilesa so that the way out may be found, 
             2. On the attainment of Sunyatã via the realization of the principle of Dependent Origination that leads to the detachment to all things, 
             3. On the path of Bodhisatva with stable belief, by which the principle of Loving-Kindness is brought into practice so that the mutual help will occur in the society, and 
             4. On the knowledge of Mahayana technical terms in both literal and lexical aspects for understanding the real senses of the terms and the daily use.