Patterns of Application of the 18 qualities of the Buddha for Propagating Buddhism in Thai Society

Abstract

This research has the objectives 1) to study the 18 qualities of the Buddha, 2) to study the principles of propagation of Buddhism in Thai society, and 3) to present a model for applying the 18 qualities of the Buddha in propagation of Buddhism in Thai society. It was qualitative research by studying Tipitaka, commentaries, documents and related academic texts, and analyzing and synthesizing using descriptive analysis.

          The findings revealed that 1)  the 18 qualities of the Buddha appear in the Sumangalavilasini scripture, a commentary on Digha Nikaya, Patika Vagga, refers to a special virtue of the Buddha with 18 aspects: (1) Tathāgata has no bodily misconduct; (2) no verbal misconduct; (3) no mental misconduct; (4) the Buddha’s knowledge is not obstructed in the past; (5) the Buddha’s knowledge is not obstructed in the future; (6) the Buddha’s knowledge is not obstructed in the present; (7) all the Buddha’s bodily actions comply with the Buddha’s knowledge; 8) the Buddha's verbal actions comply with the Buddha's knowledge; (9) all the Buddha's mental actions comply with the Buddha's knowledge; (10) no decline in desire; (11) no decline in energy; (12) no decline in mindfulness; (13) no playing; 14) no running; (15) no mistakes; (16) no hastiness; 17) no unyielding mind; and 18) no unwholesome minds. 2) The principle of propagation of Buddhism in Thai society still follows Ovādapāṭimokkha teaching preached to a large number of disciples by the Buddha during the first meeting on Makha Bucha Day as the main framework for Buddhism propagation, Ovādapāṭimokkha teaching consists of 3 principles: 1) never doing any evil, 2) ever doing good, 3) purifying the mind. The 4 ideals include: (1) patience is the highest austerity, (2) the Buddha insists that Nibbana is the highest Dhamma, (3) a Bhikkhu who harms others is not considered as Bhikkhu, 4) persecuting others is not a Bhikkhu; and 6 methods: 1) not harming, 2) not speaking ill of others, 3) being restrained in the Patimokkha, 4) knowing moderation in food consumption, 5) sleeping and sitting in a secluded place, 6) exercising mental effort. The 3 principles, 4 ideals, and 6 methods can be summarized into 4 principles: 1) Bhikkhu who harms others is not considered a monk, 2) not persecuting others, 3) not harming, 4) not speaking ill of others. All 4 can be summarized into the principle of not doing all evil. 1) Patience is the highest austerity. 2) Observing the Patimokkha, 3) Knowing the moderation in food consumption, 4) Sleeping and sitting in a secluded place, all 4 aspects can be summarized into the principle of doing good deeds to the fullest. 1) The Buddha said that Nibbana is the highest Dharma. 2) Putting the mind at ease, both are summarized into the principle of purifying the mind. 3) The third objective, the pattern of applying the 18 qualities of the Buddha to promote Buddhism in Thai society, is to synthesize the 18 qualities of the Buddha in Ovādapāṭimokkha within the framework of the 3 principles, and then apply it as a form of application in spreading Buddhism to create benefits in 3 areas: 1) Behavioral aspect, including changing behavior to focus on not doing any sins, by using principles of Dharma, such as 5 Precepts, as a tool of behavioral development. 2) Mental aspect, including the mental cultivation focusing on doing wholesome deeds by following 4 Right Efforts, etc., as a tool for mental development. 3) Wisdom aspect, including the wisdom development to focus on purifying the mind by using the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and so on, this model that applies the 18 qualities of the Lord Buddha can be used as a guideline for spreading Buddhism in Thai society, which will be beneficial to Buddhists in the future.