Anattã: The Language Used by the Buddha for Mental Progress for Name and Form Realization

Abstract

The article emphasizes on study Pali usage for propagation of the Buddha’s teaching in
order to realizing the rise and fall of names and forms. The Buddha had used Pali language for
preaching starting from delivering the first sermon, Dhammacakkappavattanasutta and
Anattalakkhanasutta to Pancavaggi or a group of five ascetics. The writer has presented Pali word
‘Anattã’ which is familiar to people containing various meanings. Its meaning mostly found is that
Avasavattana or not follow to any desire, wishes and order. Another meaning is that Asãraka or
without essence which signifies ‘selflessness, not-self.’ Especially, in the case of body (Rũpa)
which ordinary persons often hold that the whole body including eyes, ears etc. belongs to self,
mine, therefore people assumes the body, eyes and ears etc. as self, as my consciousness.
Nevertheless these physical conditions by the absolute truth, are only composite of name and
forms, so the insight practitioner must start by observing the rise and fall state of name and forms
at present moment. While cultivating mindfulness, observing physical conditions which are ever
changing such as up and down stomach, sitting, curling and stretch, he will see the pains arise
depending on body as well as its uncontrolling, then the true insight knowledge will occur to him.
By this advance of investigating on name and forms, the practitioner no longer will gain fruits of
insight at the end. This can happen by the knowledge containing in Pali which has been delivered
by the Buddha while he was living till the end of his life.