An Analysis of the Ādittapariyāya Sutta in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy from the Perspective of Western Metaphysics

Abstract

            This research aims to 1) study the Adittapariyaya Sutta in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, 2) study Western metaphysics, and 3) analyze the Adittapariyaya Sutta in Theravada Buddhist philosophy from the perspective of Western metaphysics. This is qualitative research that emphasizes documentary research by studying data from books, textbooks, articles, documents, and related research. Data analysis was conducted, and research findings are presented in the form of descriptive analysis according to the research objectives.
             The results of the study were found that:
             1. The Āditta-pariyāya Sutta is an important discourse in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, in which the Buddha taught 1,000 former fire-worshipping ascetics (jaṭila) to help them release their attachment to rituals and understand truth according to the Three Characteristics, particularly regarding the five aggregates and internal-external sense bases. This sutta contains significant metaphysical content that, when analyzed through Western conceptual frameworks, reveals distinctive and remarkably interesting characteristics.
             2. Metaphysics is a study that attempts to understand the fundamental structure of reality and the relationships between various components in the universe, using reason and philosophical analysis as tools for seeking knowledge. Western metaphysics can be categorized into three groups: materialism, idealism, and naturalism.
             3. Analysis of the Āditta-pariyāya Sutta in Theravada Buddhist philosophy according to Western metaphysical perspectives reveals that Buddhist philosophy in this sutta gives greater emphasis to mind over matter, not holding that matter alone possesses ultimate reality. While idealism and Buddhist philosophy share many commonalities, such as emphasizing the role of mind in perception, using internal wisdom as a criterion for judging truth, and believing in the possibility of mind after death, Buddhist philosophy maintains its unique characteristics, such as not viewing mind as eternal, not believing in the immortality of the soul, and having Nibbana as the ultimate goal. The Āditta-pariyāya Sutta presents a moderate metaphysical framework that is not extreme toward either materialism or idealism, accepting natural reality while also giving importance to the potential of mind, focusing on the cessation of suffering through wisdom until complete liberation from suffering, or Nibbana.