An analysis On Philosophical Concept Appeared in The Elder Upagutta

Abstract

This research is of three objectives: 1) to study the story of the Elder Upagutta in Buddhist Texts, 2) to study the Elder Upagutta’s traditional belief in Buddhist way of life. 3) to analyze the philosophical ideas on the Metaphysical and Ethical stand points  that appeared in the narratives of the Elder Upagutta. This is a qualitative research based on documentary analysis.

The results revealed that : 1) evidently, the story of the Elder Upagutta did not appear in Tipitaka, but it was found in the latter texts such as Asokavadana and the Prathamasambodhikatha. Also, the famous story of Upagutta defeats Mara has been told in a celebration of King Ashoka’s stupa.

2) On the aspect of the Elder Upagutta in Buddhist way of life, whenever Buddhists organize important rituals, they must invite him to protect those ceremonies and prey for success. This then became a tradition to invites Upagutta to protoect all important rituals  such as the full moon Wednesday’s Alms Giving.

3) On analyzing metaphysical concepts, even though the existence of the Elder Upagatta is abstract but this belief depends on the study of religious texts (Sabdapramana ; the term of reference) that confirm belief. Thus, the Elder Upagutta must be accepted as a real person both in thought and reality. On the Ethical aspect, it can be found that the respectation of the Elder Upagutta set the framework for Buddhists ethics i.e. the worship, and respect. These rituals guide people to do good deed. Because worship is considered as merit. In addition, the worship of the Elder Upagutta has raise many values to family, community, society, and religion itself in the sense that people apply ethical principles to their way of life.