A Study Of The Non-Self Characteristic Of The Matter And Mind [Rūpa-Nāma] In The Insight Meditation Practice

Abstract

The research is qualitative research with 3 objectives to: 1) study the principle of soulless characteristic in Theravada Buddhist Scripture; 2) study mind and matter in Theravada Buddhist Scripture and; 3) study soulless characteristic of mind and matter in Theravada Buddhist Scripture. The study will be done through the research information from Pali Canon (Tipitaka), and other related scriptures.

From the study, it was found that the goal of insight development practice is to purify one’s mind for the attainment of the Path, the Fruition; hence, Nibbana which is the ultimate goal of Buddhism. Before the Buddha had dissolved the aggregates (Khandha) and entered into the stage of Parinibbana, He bequeathed the four assemblies of Buddhists (Buddhaparisa), i.e., Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni, lay devotee (Upasaka) and female devotee (Upasika), to administer His religion. When some of these assemblies practices the insight development and ultimately attain at any particular level, their attainment will praise confidence to other assemblies as well. 

The insight development practice helps to perfect one’s mind until the Final Goal has been achieved; hence, benefits the society as a whole. The world will productively be peaceful. Consequently, all sorts of problems that we are facing, e.g., wars, exploitation, massacre, deprivation of benefits, can gradually be decreased. The fundamental target of the insight development practice is to train one’s mind to banish from hindrances (Navarana Dhamma), i.e., sensual desire or greed (Tanha), pride (Mana), misbelief (Ditthi), anxiety, worries and doubt, etc. Mind without these hindrances can then proceed into the state of concentration.

Soulless characteristic (Anattata Lakkhana) has no self (Atta) nor soul (Vinnana), but the five aggregates which cannot be forced to be permanent nor everlasting contented. The soulless characteristic is one of the most difficult doctrines to comprehend.  Those who do not understand it completely will never be capable of achieving the highest goal. This is the only teaching found in Buddhism, not in any other religions.

Essentially, the insight development practice requires the knowledge of the sense-objects called Insight Plane of Consciousness (Vipassana Bhumi). These planes include the five aggregates (Khandha), the twelve spheres (Ayatana), the eighteen natural conditions (Dhatu), the twenty-two sense-faculties (Indriya), the twelve Dependent Origination (Paticcasa muppada) and the Four Noble Truths (Ariyasacca). Once condensed, they are summarized to just “mind and matter”. These two are the insight’s sense-objects or the cognizable objects that lead to wisdom. In fact, all things are the insight’s sense-objects.  When we observe something with mindfulness, by its true natural condition and without attachment, we will discover the reality of the Three Characteristics. Hence, it is the actual insight’s sense-objects. From that observation, one will progressively attain the wisdom, thus the insight knowledge in succession.