DHUTAṄGA OBSERVANCE : THE GUIDELINE OF RELIGIOUS HEIR DEVELOPMENT IN BUDDHISM

Abstract

The objectives of the dissertation on Dhutanga Vatta: The Guideline of Religious Heir Development in Buddhism were as follows : 1) to study the principles of Dhutanga in Theravada Buddhist Scriptures, 2) to study the development of Buddhist heirs in Theravada Buddhism, 3) to integrate the development of religious heirs with Dhutanga principles, and 4) to propose a form of knowledge with a model on the religious heir development integrated with Dhutanga principles. The data of this documentary study were gathered from documents and in-depth interviews with 12 experts.

The results of the study were found that:

              According to the Tipitaka, there are only 8 Dhutanga principles. Dhutangas are not precepts but austere practices. The original eight items consist of 1) Pamsukulikanga, 2) Tecivarikanga, 3) Pindapatikanga, 4) Sapadanacarikanga, 5) Khalupacchabhattikanga, 6) Araññikanga, 7) Yathasanthatikanga, and 8) Nesajjikanga. In later time, 5 items were added. So at present there are 13 principles of Dhutanga.

              The development of religious heirs in Buddhism found that the practice of Dhutanga Vatta is to refine the defilements and is to become negligent, secluded and simple. In Thailand, the prominent monks known in Dhutanga practices are Luang Poo Man Bhuridatto, Luang Poo Dul Atulo, Luang Phor Lee Dhammadharo and Luang Ta Maha Bua Nyanasampanno. The practice of Dhutanga is to return to the form of practice in the Buddha’s time. At that time, Venerable Kassapa who followed the Lord’s teachings had gained his goal as he wished. 

              For integration, the 13 principles of Dhutanga are classified into 3 levels of practices; austere, intermediate and moderate. The Dhutanga practice is to have contentment on the four necessities of life; clothing, food, lodging and medicine. The practice of Dhutanga is usually accompanied with the practice of meditation, both Samatha meditation and Vipassana meditation.

            The knowledge obtained from the study can be concluded into “FDPPP” Model. F refers to Friend, D to Detachment, P to Perseverance, P to Patience, and P to Preaching Dhamma.