Criterion for Human’s Death Diagnosis in Theravada Buddhism Philosophy

Abstract

In Theravada Buddhism, there are teachings about the concept of human life composition in many aspects, which can be categorized into three principles: (1) functional composition of human life, (2) constructive composition of human life, and (3) vital composition of human life. The third category can be used as a criterion to diagnose human death in Theravada Buddhist philosophical way. According to the study, the vital composition of human life consists of Usumā, Āyu, and Viññāṇa. Usumā means the fire element from karma or the normal temperature of human body. Āyu means vitality or the condition that keeps the normal physiologic function of all organs of human body. Viññāṇa means mind or consciousness. The vital composition of human life principle can be used as a criterion to diagnose human death only in the absence of all these three components. And this criterion can be significantly applied to many social issues, especially in Thai society where Theravada Buddhism has deeply rooted.