Abstract

This thesis has three objectives; to study the enlightenment in Theravada Buddhist scripture, 2) to study of perfection cultivation in Theravada Buddhist scripture and 3) to study of cultivation for perfection and enlightenment of Paṭācārā Therī. This study was documentary research. Clarified data are taken from the Theravada Buddhist scriptures and other related documents, then composed, summarized, analyzed, explained in details, corrected and verified by Buddhist scholars. From the study it found that;

Enlightenment according to Buddhism referred to realization of four noble truth; suffering, cause of suffering, extinction of suffering and path leading to extinction of suffering. This realization will bring up the attainment of nine sapramundane; four path, four fruits and Nibbāna which can abandon all fetters (Sanyojana) in the respect of insight knowledge. It was divided into 4 levels; Stream-entry (Sotapanna) who abandoned wrong view of self, doubt and wrong rituals, once-returner decreased sensual desire and distortion, no-returner abandoned sensual desire and distortion completely, Arhantaship abandoned all fetters.

Perfection cultivation for enlightenment was an accumulating ten perfections; giving (Dāna), morality (Sīla) and renunciation and so on for the purpose of Nibbāna attainment from long previous lives up to present life. This perfection cultivation had been classified into two kinds; 1) Perfection of Bodhisatta and 2) Perfection of Sāvaka (disciples). The first perfection must be completed with 3 levels; ordinary, superior and supreme perfections while the later only ordinary level in order to realize the noble truth through listening Buddha’s teaching.

Ven. Paṭācārā Bhikkhuni began to cultivate her perfection and wished to obtain excellency position as Bhikkhuni who memorized discipline in front of previous Buddha named Padumuttara until the present Buddha period. She had suffered from worldly life and became mad because all members of her family were died unexpectedly but finally she received compassion from Buddha who guided her the truth. Then she ordained as Bhikkhuni and developed insight by observing name and forms with exertion based on principle of four foundation of mindfulness. With complete task and practice, no longer she had cut off all ten fetters entering to nine supramundane and became Arahantaship. Buddha granted her an excellency on discipline memorizer.

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