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Thesis Title : The Development of The Saṃkhāra for The attainment in Theravāda
Buddhism
Researcher: : Phramaha Dhanindra Āditavaro (Khamkamol)
Degree : Doctor of Philosophy (Buddhist Studies)
Thesis Supervisory Committee
: Asst. Prof.Dr. Phra Suthithammanuwat, Pali IX, M.A., Ph.D.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Watchara Ngamchijjarern, Pali IX, B.A.
(Buddhist Studies), M.A. (Philosohpy), Ph.D. (Philosophy)
Dr. Prapan Supasorn, Pali VII, B.A., M.A. (Buddhist Studies), Ph.D.
(Buddhist Studies)
Date of Completion : May 20, 2012
ABTRACT
The dissertation has 3 objectives namely; (1) to study the concept of Saṃkhāra in
Theravāda Buddhism 2) to study the concept of the development of Saṃkhāra in Theravāda
Buddhism 3) to study and analyze the process of Saṃkhāra leading to the attainment.
From the research, it is found that there are 3 types of Saṃkhāra in Buddhism, i.e
Saṃkhāra in the Three Characteristics, Saṃkhāra in the Five Aggregates and Saṃkhāra in the
Dependent Origination. Saṃkhāra in the Three Characteristics covers all aspects both objects and
subjects. Saṃkhāra in the Five Aggregates is part of Saṃkhāra in the Three Characteristics with
its subject only. Saṃkhāra in the Dependent Origination is the action of Saṃkhāra in the Five
Aggregates (cetanā). This dissertation is emphasized on studying only the Saṃkhāra in the Five
Aggregates.
The process of development of Saṃkhāra that the Buddha used in his teaching is the
ThreeFold Trainings which are Adhisīla-sikkhā, Adhicitta-sikkhā and Adhipaññā-sikkhā. There
are 2 levels of development of Saṃkhāra, one is the Lokiya level that the goal for the learners is
to know how to live their lives happily in the present world, and the other is the Lokuttara level
that the goal for the learners is to get free from the world’s restraint or free from all kilesas. Those
two levels are for two different groups, i.e. the lay people and the Pabbajita, though the strictness
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for each level is different. For example, the Pabbajita cannot have sex with humans or animals,
but if they do, they will free from Bhikkhu. The lay people can have sex with their couples but
they are prohibited unfaithful themselves couples. Saṃkhāra plays a role for human living
because the different behaviors that express by body, speech and mind will come about
Saṃkhāra. The behavior will be good or bad depending on the perception through the sense-
organs and sense-objects by having the phassa as the medium and sending it to Voṭṭhabbana citta
to make decision on ārammaṇa. If the decision is made with Yonisomanasikāra and consists of
kusala cetasika, the behavior will be good and be kusala. If the decision is made with
Ayonisomanasikāra and consists of akusala cetasika, the behavior will be bad and be akusala.
The working process of Saṃkhāra to attainment in Buddhism has two levels which
are jhāna and ñāṇa levels. Both levels have 4 cittas which play a major role as the following; the
first up to the fourth citta are called Parikamma, Upacāra, Gottarabhū and Anuloma or Appanā,
respectively. Parikamma means citta using the parikamma meditation; for example, Samatha-
kammaṭṭhāna based on Paṭhavī-kasina will parikamma as paṭhavī, paṭhavī or Vipassanā-
kammaṭṭhāna based on modern Satipaṭṭhāna will parikamma as rising, falling, etc. Upacāra means
citta arises beyond parikamma, citta will be concentrated on ārammaṇa-kammaṭṭhāna nearly
Appanā. Gottarabhū means citta arises beyond upacāra. If citta attained to jhāṇa, it means citta is
crossing the Kāmāvacarabhūmi to Rūpā-vacarabhūmi. If citta attained to ñāṇa, it means citta is
crossing the puthujjana to ariyapuggala. Anuloma or Appanā means citta arises beyond Gottarabhū.
If citta attained to jhāna, it means it begins to attain Paṭhamajhāna onward. Saṃkhāra or dhamma
that occurs in jhāna has 5 types; i.e., Vitakka, Vicāra, Pīti, Sukha, and Ekaggatā. This dhamma
will be gradually reduced in sequence; for example, Dutiyajhāna will be Vicāra, Pīti, Sukha, and
Ekaggatā. Tatiyajhāna will be Pīti, Sukha, and Ekaggatā. Catutthajhāna will be Sukha and
Ekaggatā. If citta attained to ñāṇa, it means citta sees the Tilakkhaṇa hold ind all the Saṃkhāras to
be ārammaṇa according to the 8 ñāṇas, it begins at ñāṇa 5th
Udayabbayañãna till ñāṇa 12th
Saṃkhārupekkhāñāṇa. Anuloma will comply with Bodhipakkhiya-dhammas 37 at front or upper
level. Citta that arises from Anuloma called Magga-citta or Magga-ñāṇa which arises to kill all
kilesas based upon its power, it means if there is more power, it will kill more kilesas, but if it has
less power, then it will kill less kilesas starting at Sotāpattimagga till Arahattamagga. While
Magga-citta arises, Saṃkhāra or 14 dhammas in Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma 37; i.e., Sati, Viriya,
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Chanda, Paññā, Saddhā, Ekaggatā, Pīti, Kāyapassaddhi, Cittapassaddhi, Tatramajjhattatā, Vitakka,
Sammāvācā, Sammākammanta, Sammāājīva, will be arisen all together which called
Sāmaggīmagga or Maggasamaṅgī.
