The Nirvana great land in Buddhist literatures

Abstract

This study is (conducted in order) 1. To analyze the concepts 2. To study of the main point and history 3. To comparative study of philosophical Atta and Nirvana great land appearing in Buddhism literary works of Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana in Milinda Panha, Visuddhimagga, and Mulamadhyamakakarika of Nagarhuna 1. The case study of history and the main point of three texts conclude that three texts compose of 3-18 Buddhist era which is as same as main point about to teach on Buddhist Nirvana and metaphysics. 2. The case philosophical study; the texts indicate that putting an end to suffer (Nirvana), putting an end to Dukka (Niroda), and vacancy in the universe (Space) are endless and unable to be measured, which are referred to as “Asangkhatayadamma”. On the other hand, the term “emptiness” (Sunyata) in Mulamadhyamakakarika of Nagarhuna, has been applied. The result of this study reveals that Asangkhatayadamma should not be related to Atta, which is originally a Hindu belief. 3. The case study of the Mahanipphan land concept ; that nevertheless, the notion of Mahanipphan land which appears in an ancient Thai Buddhism literature, Traibhumikatha reflects an image of Thai people’s thoughts in Sukhothai era (approximately from 1257 - 1407 A.D.). This Buddhism literature is written after the period, and it is not categorized in Theravada’s Tripitaka. This belief is combined with the concept of Atta in Hindu’s as it apparently explains that Nirvana Kingdom is an ideal image of paradise. Thus, the origin of fundamental concept towards Nirvana is deemed as Atta in Thai society. In addition, the truth in Hinduism’s perspective. However, this idea appears to be a one of the most significant disagreements in Thai society where Buddhism and Hinduism beliefs are harmoniously blended nowadays.