Application of sammāvāyāma to develop quality of life in today's society according to the principles of Buddhism

Abstract

This article aims to study “Application of Sammāvāyāma to develop quality of life in today's society according to the principles of Buddhism.” It showed that Sammāvāyāma, an ethical principle in the Noble Eightfold Path, signifies a commitment or endeavor towards moral rectitude which involves: 1) the effort to prevent unwholesome states of mind from arising, 2) the effort to let go of existing unwholesome states of mind, 3) the effort to cultivate wholesome states of mind that have not yet arisen, and 4) the effort to sustain wholesome states of mind that have arisen. Sammāvāyāma aligns with the teachings of Buddhism and comprises three objectives: benefits in the present life, in future lives, and for spiritual progress. Regarding the application of Sammāvāyāma for personal development, it can be categorized into four dimensions: 1) educational dimension, which emphasizes consistent learning and teaching of precepts and practices with the goal of self-discipline, 2) occupational dimension, which promotes diligence, conscientiousness, and non-deception in work while nurturing ethical attitudes, 3) self-development dimension, which involves physical and mental growth following the principles of discipline, and 4) ethical dimension, which utilizes Sammāvāyāma to suppress unwholesomeness and instigate virtue through the practice of abstaining from desires, divided into two categories: 1)Saḷegha, gradual suppression of desires, and 2) Tuttāṅgha, forceful suppression with immediate effects.