An An Analytical Study of Ananda’s Roles in The Mahaparinibbanasutta

Abstract

This research article had 3 objectives: 1) to study the structure and essential contents of the Mahāparinibbānasutta, 2) to study the roles of Ananda in the Mahāparinibbānasutta, and 3) to analyze the roles of Ananda in the Mahāparinibbānasutta. This study was qualitative research conducted through the study of data from the Tipiṭaka, commentaries, and related academic documents in order to analyze the roles of Ananda in the Mahāparinibbānasutta.

               The results of the study revealed that: 1) the Mahāparinibbānasutta appears in Volume 10 of the Tipiṭaka and is an important discourse concerning the Parinibbāna of the Buddha. The contents are divided into 6 Bhāṇavāras and 44 sections, presenting events sequentially from the visit of Vassakara Brahmin to the distribution of the Buddha’s relics; 2) Ananda played important roles in attending upon the Buddha, coordinating with the Buddhist communities, and managing various situations through the five etadagga attributes, namely bahussuta, sati, gati, dhiti, and being an attendant; and 3) from the analyze of Ananda’s roles, the researcher was able to classify the roles of Ananda into 3 aspects as follows: (1) foundational roles, namely the five etadagga attributes, (2) roles in thought and decision-making of Ananda in the Mahāparinibbānasutta, and (3) roles of Ananda in relation to social structure.

               Furthermore, this study synthesized new knowledge from the five etadagga attributes of Ananda and found that these attributes are consistent with the structural principles of modern artificial intelligence. The knowledge obtained from this research can be applied to personnel potential development, Buddhist organizational management, and the development of learning media in the digital age.