Characteristic Behavior Modification for Life Development

Processes and Practices

Abstract

This qualitative research paper presents the characteristics of six types of persons; it includes the processes and practices of characteristic behavior modification based on the tranquility development in the Buddhist scriptures.

            The research found that the six types of characteristic behavior are considered as the major obstacle to attaining Nirvana. The processes of modification of the six types of people are as follows. 1) A lustful person should be modified by practicing meditation on ten kinds of foulness and mindfulness occupied with the body. 2) A quick-tempered person should be modified by practicing meditation on the fourfold color of Kasina and the four the sublime states of mind. 3) A person of foolish habits should be modified by practicing meditation on the mindfulness regarding breathing. 4) A faithful person should be modified by practicing meditation on the six recollections viz., recollection of the virtues of the Buddha, the Doctrine, the Order, one’s own morals, one’s own liberality and deities. 5) An intelligent person should be modified by practicing meditation on the mindfulness of death, recollection of peace, perception of the loathsomeness of food and analysis of the four elements. 6) A discursive person should be modified by practicing meditation on the mindfulness regarding breathing.      

            According to Buddhism scriptures, there were the monks and laymen who modified their temperaments successfully. They were 1) Raga-carita: Venerable Nanda who used to be a lustful person, 2) Dosa-carita: Venerable Angulimala who used to be a hateful person, 3) Moha–carita: the prostitutes, kings and Brahmin who used to be ignorant people, 4) Saddha–carita: Venerable Vakkali who used to be a devout person, 5) Buddhi–carita: Venerable Pandita Samanera who used to be an intellectual person and 6) Vitakka–carita: A Jivaka who used to be a discursive person. The findings in this study can be applied for instructing meditation, modifying appropriate behavior and developing for a better life.