Biography of Lord Buddha in the time of the ordination: Hermeneutic based on Nettippakarana Canon

Abstract

 This article was purposely attempted to analyze the biography of Lord Buddha in the time of the ordination through hermeneutics based on Nettippakarana Canon and the six principles of preaching elements (Desanã); namely, enjoyment (Assãda), disadvantage (ãdĩnava), freedom by deliverance (Nissaranฺa), result (Phala), proficiency (Upãya) and Buddha regulation or disciplinary rules (Ãñatti) for making a better understanding of such biography.

In the study, it was found that the Assãda for ordination of Prince Sithattha had caused Him to fully follow the path of holy life, the disadvantage of His ordination (ãdĩnava)  had caused Him to go forth without any permission giving rise to a great deal of sorrow and lamentation and thereby prescribing Sangha’s Order for ordination of monks or novices; those who wanted to be ordained need to be carefully examined, if found unfit, then the preceptor commits an offence of wrongdoing, the Buddha’s freedom by deliverance (nissarana) obviously paved the way for the end of suffering through the noble path called (Ariyamagga), the results of ordination (Phala) brought about enlightenment to Him; He completely put an end to suffering and causing the hefty amount of advantage to Himself as well as trainable man, the proficiency as to means and methods of ordination (Upãya) referred to the ways Lord Buddha followed the noble path leading to Nirvana. All these were called threefold learning, morality, concentration and wisdom. Lastly, the mandate of ordination for Prince Sithattha suggested and persuaded others to follow and practice the way He did as were done by group of five ascetics through the first sermon called ‘Dhammacakkappavattanasutta’.