An Analytical Studies of the Roles of the Four Great Gods in the Atanatiya Sutta

Abstract

This research article has the objective To study the structure and content To study and analyze the Roles of the Four Great Kings (Mahārāja) and to study the Dhamma principles of the Four Great Kings (Mahārāja) in the Āṭānāṭiya-Sutta. This study was a qualitative research by finding data from the Buddhist Scriptures and related documents.

The findings of this research were as follows: The Āṭānāṭiya-Sutta was the Discourse on the Four Great Kings, this Sutta was described in the Long Discourse of Buddha which related to taking the poem for protection from evil spirits presented to the Lord Buddha by the Four Great Kings. The discourse or content in Sutta consists of five issues, they are; 1) Homage to the seven Buddhas, 2) The four directions from the Great Kings, 3) the land of Uttarakuru (the Northern continent) of Vessavaṇa, 4) the results and the method of practising Āṭānāṭiya reciting, and 5) the part of summary by the Lord Buddha. Besides, it was also related to how to apply this discourse from recitation for benefit. What will make the discourse effective were: 1) the recited place, 2) the recital will be recited by a virtuous person, and 3) the recitation must always recite the loving-kindness before. The study of the roles of the Four Great Kings in the Āṭānāṭiya-Sutta found that 1) there were three origins of birth as the four Great Kings; 1) the bases of meritorious action, 2) the belief in the Triple Gem, and 3) after making merit have to be established in mind. Therefore, there are four roles of the four Great Kings; 1) the role of protecting Buddha, 2) the role towards the four assemblies, and 3) the role in heaven. The result of the analysis of the roles of the Four Great Kings in the Āṭānāṭiya-Sutta found that there were three important roles; 1) the role of promotion and protection of Buddhism, 2) the role of observation of the world, and 3) the role of non-human’s governance. Moreover, the result of the analysis of the roles of the four Great Kings affected various values as follows: 1) the value of learning Buddhist principles; 1.1) the principle of the law of Kamma, 1.2) the principle of meritorious action, and 1.3) the principle of loving-kindness, 2) the value of recitation, 3) the value of society, and 4) the value of education.