Abstact

The thesis on  “A Study of  Effort  (Viriya)  in  Practice of  Insight  Meditation”  has two objectives.  It studies Viriya as stated in the Theravãda Buddhist Scriptures as well as Viriya while Practicing the Vipassanã Bhãvanã. The Thesis took informations from Theravada Buddhist Tipitaka, Atthakatha, Tika, and other scriptures concerned. Data were then described and certified by Thesis Advisers  and Vipassana Specialists.

                It  is  found that Viriya mean 4 kinds of efforts.  In Pali,  it is the Padhãna or the 4 Sammappadhãnas which are Samvara-padhãna, the effort to prevent;  Pahãna-padhãna, the effort to abandon;  Bhãvanã-padhãna, the effort to develop;  and the Anurakkhanã-padhãna, the effort to keep or to maintain.

                Viriya during the Practice of Vipassanã Bhãvanã is the  Sammãvãyãma - the Right  Effort which is  exactly the 4 Sammappadhãnas.  It is the mindfulness in contemplating  the phenomena on  the Body,  the Feeling,  the Conciousness,  and the Dhamma in order to cultivate wisdom on  the Tilakkana of Nãma-Rūpa.  It is the self- realization with Paccakka-ñana of the Practitioner himself .  The mindful noting is composed of three criteria.  1) the ãtãpi - which is the Perseverance on getting rid of Defilements. 2) the Sampajãno which is clear Comprehension on phenomena. 3) the Satimã which is the mindful awareness at the Presence and the avoiding of Abhijjhã and  Grievance.       

Viriya, during the practice of Vipassanã Bhãvanã, must be kept at a moderate level  (Macchimã Pattipathã). On a full extreme, the practitioner will prone to be drifting or fanciful.  On the other slacking level, the practitioner will be sleepy.  Therefore,  an adjustment on Indriyas is necessary by manipulating the Viriya to be equal to Concentration.  If  the former (Viriya) is less and the later (Concentration) is more, the person’s mind will be wandering out while he will be sleepy vice versa.   If Faith is too much while Paññã is too little, the person will have no wisdom to know the Tilakkanã.  But if Faith is less than Paññã,  he will not be obedient to his teacher.  Therefore, the Practitioner needs to have the suitable degree of  Viriya .  He should have a keen and mindful “Adjustment on Indriyas”  in order to get a fruitful outcome from Vipassanã Bhãvanã.