Abstract

                      The objectives of the thesis entitled “A Study of the Principle of the Four Protections in Meditation (Caturārakkha-kammaṭṭhāna)” in Theravāda Scriptures” are 1) to study the principles and techniques used in the Four Protections in the Buddhism’s Theravāda meditation and, 2) to study the practice’s principle of the Loving-Kindness meditation.

                      This qualitative study is focused on the text about Caturārakkha-kammaṭṭhāna and related dhamma as stated in the Tepitaka (Triple Gems), Atthakathā (Commentaries), Tika (Sub-Commentaries) and others Buddhist texts. Moreover, the principle of practicing the Loving-Kindness Meditation for Vipassanā-bhāvanā is specifically studied.

                      The researcher has found that Caturārakkha-kammaṭṭhāna is both the Dhamma and practicing principles. It protects practitioners from being influenced by defilements (Kilesa).  There are four ways which Caturārakkha-kammaṭṭhāna or the Four Protections in Meditation can be practiced, i.e. 1) Buddhānussati (the recollection of the Buddha), 2) Asubha-kammaṭṭhāna (contemplation on foulness of oneself and other’s bodies),  3) Maranassati (contemplation on the 32 impure parts of the body).  and 4) Mettā, (contemplating the loving-kindness, having the mind that is inspired by kindness and wanted to do good deed for all human and animals),

                Caturārakkha-kammaṭṭhāna can also be called Sabbatthagā-kammaṭṭhāna, a kind of meditation needed everywhere because it is suitable to be the base for any kind of meditation-practice and is the basic principle that beginners should do first so he could carelessly develop his own good deed.

                The researcher also found that after Loving-Kindness Meditation is practiced until the Upacārasamadhi (access concentration) or Appanā-samādhi (attainment concentration) is reached, then practitioners enter into the third jhāna (absorption). At this stage, the practitioner is filled with rapture and loving-kindness which can suppress his own ill-will because loving-kindness is opponent to anger. Loving-kindness meditation is suitable to be practiced by those with Dosacarita (one of hating temperament). After the loving-kindness has arisen, the practitioner realizes the Tilakkhana (the Three Characteristics) because anger or hatred can stay no more. Thus the practitioner attains the Vipassanā-bhāvanā Wisdom. To begin with Samatha meditation then lifts one’s mind up to Vipassanā-bhāvanā (insight meditation) is called the Samatha-base. This would lead practitioners to Magga, the Path.

                It can be concluded that: Vipassanā-bhāvanā practitioners who have Upacārasamadhi (access concentration) or Appanā-samādhi (attainment concentration) as their base is called the Samathayānika.   This means that whoever needs to gain the Insight should try one of the four Jhana-base ways because such Jhana serves as Vipassanā-bhāvanā’s base.