AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF PAӣJUPATANAKHANDHA IN THERAVÃDA BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis paper were as follows: 1) to study Five Aggregates in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, 2) to study Attachment in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, and 3) to analyze Attachment in the Five Aggregates in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The data of this qualitative research were collected from the Tipitaka, Commentaries, Sub-commentaries, and related documents.

The results of research were found as follows :

1. The attachment in the Five Aggregates is to attach to corporeality, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness. The attachment in the Five Aggregates occurs when Upadanakhandha occurs. It is the mental attachment by holding that corporeality and mental formations are self, and holding pleasurable objects as mine. And in deeper and more subtle point, it is to attach a mental formation as self and then holding corporeality, feeling, perception and mental factors as mine.


2. It can be concluded that the teaching of attachment was taught by the Buddha in order to show the truth that the Five Aggregates are foundations of all suffering and detachment of the Five Aggregates could lead to the realization of truths. Detachment of the Five Aggregates could make a person live a life peacefully and happily, establish himself with carelessness, decline his desire in aggregates, and purify one’s mind from defilements until enter to Nibbana.