An Analytical Study of the Criteria of Asaṅkhatadhamma in Theravãda Buddhism

Abstract

This academic article study about Asaṅkhatadhamma in Theravada Buddhism. It is a study of the meaning, characteristics, number and Judging Criteria of Asaṅkhatadhamma. From the study, it was found that there are 2 types of Asaṅkhatadhamma in the Vinaya Pitaka, namely Nibbãna and the law, or Asaṅkhatadhamma that exists and non-existent. In the Suttanta Pitaka, there are 3 defilements which are the roots of all unwholesomeness, namely: Group 1) the end of greed, hatred, delusion, group 2) unadulterated conditions, and group 3) unchanging conditions. In the Abhidhamma Pitaka There is controversial evidence about the number of Asaṅkhatadhamma. And that problem still has no clear resolution until now. Because there is no evidence of monks who have the opinion that there are many types of Asaṅkhatadhamma. Can only bring the characteristics of Asaṅkhatadhamma that appear in the Tipitaka to be a chapter and then find the answer by comparing what the monks who voted to be Asaṅkhatadhamma compared with the characteristics of such Asaṅkhatadhamma. If comparable, is it reasonable to conclude that That thing is Asaṅkhatadhamma. That is anything that has the characteristics of Asaṅkhatadhamma as it appears in the Tipitaka. That things classified as all Asaṅkhatadhamma. But as far as I have studied to find the answer, I found that there are 4 types of Asaṅkhatadhamma: 1) Existing types, such as Nibbãna, 2) Non-existent types, such as commandments 3) Natural laws, such as the laws of definition, the laws of the Paticcasamuppada, and the laws of the Noble Truths 4) Special types, such as the Akasa or space.
As for the judging criteria, there are four criterias: 1) the end of passion or being unaffected by factors is a result of defilement. 2) not being in the 3 tenses or being
unchanged in the 3 tenses, namely past, present, and future. 3) Being unaffected by various factors, i.e., kamma, causes, and seasons, manipulated or created, and 4) Being unaffected by various factors. Constructed by that, it may or may not exist.