DEATH IN BUDDHIST DIMENSION

Abstract

This thesis bears the main objective to study the concept of death, how to deal with death, the advantages or values of death in Buddhism, and to propose the new body of knowledge related to death in Buddhism. The results of research were according to Buddhism, death, on the supra mundane sphere, means the destruction of Rupa (formation) and Nama (appellation). It continues living because of four supportive factors, namely, Kamma (deed), Citta (mind), Uta (temperature) and Ahara (nutrition), and also falls under the common rules of Aniccata (impermanence), Dukkhata (destructibility) and Anattata (selflessness). Such a contemplation will lead to the realization of the fact that both living and non-living things are subject to the law of “Rise-Exist-Decline. Thus, to transcend the death requires the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. The study of the death issue leads to a better understanding of life which will signal a warning of not being deluded with the cravings, and how to live a life full of vigilance, mindfulness and awareness. The negative dimension of life will be treated as a lesson to teach and train oneself, and as a motivation to live a meaningful and virtuous life in compliance with the Buddhist teachings. The concept of death is, therefore, regarded as the ”corner stone” on which the deliverance of suffering will be built through the austere practice of the Noble Eightfold Path aimed at the achievement of the Summum Bonum, the greatest benefit deliverable by Death. The newly-initiated knowledge resulting from the research to be proposed here is SACCAMARANฺAPPAMÃDA. It can be concluded that realizing the truth of life, contemplation of life righteously and treat the death in the right way will create non-negligence.