A Study of Relationship Between Ānāpānassati and Three Characteristics in Theravada Buddhist Scriptures

Abstract

This article was a part of thesis entitled “A Study of Relationship Between Ānāpānassati and Three Characteristics in Theravada Buddhist Scriptures” containing 3 objectives; 1) to study Ānāpānassati in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, 2) to study Three Characteristics in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, and 3) to study the relationship between Ānāpānassati and Three Characteristics. It was a documentary research. Its findings showed that Ānāpānassati refers to mindfulness functioning on breath observing which controls inhaling and exhaling. It is a meditation for Samatha-Yānika referring to vipassana with concentration as an initial. Ānāpānassati contains sixteen practicing steps which is divided into 4 sections, each  section contains 4 steps; the first section is Kāyānupassanasatipaṭṭhāna, the second is Vedanānupassanasatipaṭṭhāna, the third is Cittanupassana-satipaṭṭhāna. Three Characteristics (Tilakkhaṇa) means three characters of everything; including 1) Aniccatā or impermanence which is unstable and inconstant, everything is always arising and perishing, 2) Dukkhatā or suffering state referring to the contaminated phenomena and the last, 3) Anattatā or soullessness or non-self, the state of changeable and uncontrollable state. These three characters are inherent realities of all called common characteristics. The reality is hidden by three type; 1) Santati or the continuity covering the impermanence, 2) Iriyapatha or the movement performing which covers the sufferings. Lastly, 3) Ghanasaññā or the perception of compactness, which covers the non-self. To see three characteristics requires the wisdom from insight meditation as an essential. The relationship between Ānāpānassati and three characteristics is a process to continue mindfulness development into the deep stage of insight knowledge in thirteenth to sixteenth level which is uncontaminated insight steps. The steps lead the meditator to perceive the truth and releasing the attachment. Having realized that everything relies on three characteristics which is the right teaching of the Buddha, one will soon release from all attachments and live rightly and peacefully in everyday life.