The Concept of Yonisomanasikāra ‘Proper Attention’ as a Buddhist Way to Social Peace
Abstract
The topic of this study is the concept of Yonisomanasikāra ‘Proper Attention’ as a Buddhist way to social peace. There are three objectives, namely: - 1) To study the concept of “Yonisomanasikāra (Proper attention)” in Buddhist canonical texts and other related contexts, 2) To examine the Theravāda Buddhist perspective on the cause of social conflict and way to prevent conflict, and 3) To apply Yonisomanasikāra ‘Proper Attention’ as a Buddhist way to social peace. Research methodology will be methods and theory used in the field of peace studies, specifically religion and peace. The results show that the Concept of Yonisomanasikāra can be described as thinking in terms of causal relationships, such as the consequences of one’s thoughts and actions, or exploration of the conditioned nature of phenomena which will lead to the development of insight or wisdom. Yonisomanasikāra was instrumental in arousing the wisdom that led to realization; and that Greed (Lobha) is also one of the causes of social conflict. Non-Greed (Alobha) is the way to prevent that greed (Lobha). Anger (Dosa) is one of the causes of social conflict. Loving-kindness (Adosa) is the way to prevent that anger (Dosa). Ignorance (Moha) is one of the causes of social conflict. Wisdom (Amoha) is the way to prevent that ignorance (Moha).
Social peace is a way of sustaining social life distant from internal conflict. It is one of the objectives of social politics, which offer peaceful solutions to the disputes and conflicts that may arise from disagreements and social tensions among national and international various sectors of society. Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. This study is significant because of: 1) Knowing about the concept of Yonisomanasikāra (Proper Attention) in Theravāda Buddhism, 2) Clearly understanding the cause of social conflict and way to prevent conflict, and 3) Realization of the application of Yonisomanasikāra ‘Proper Attention’ as a Buddhist way to social peace.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Buddhaghosa, Manotathapurani, Vol. II, (London: Pāli Text Society, 1967).
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, The Discourse on the Root of Existence (Majjhima Commentary), Vol. II, (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1980).
Buddhaghosa, The Dhammapada Commentary, Eugene, Watson Burlingame, (trs.), Bhikkhu Khantipālo (ed.), (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1982).
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, A Comprehensive Manual of Abhiddhamma: The Abhiddhammattha Sangaha of Ācariya Anuruddha, (Washington: Buddhist Publication Society, 1993).
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, (trs.), The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Saṃyutta Nikāya), (Boston: Wisdom Publication, 2000).
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, & Bomhard, Allan R., (ed.), A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma: The Abhidhammatthasangaha of Ācariya Anuruddha, (Charleston: Charleston Buddhist Fellowship, 2007).
Brown, Wendy, Regulating Aversion: Tolerance in the Age of Identity and Empire, (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008).
Bodhi, Bhikkhu, (trs.), The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha (Aṅguttara Nikāya), (Boston: Wisdom Publication, 2012).
Davids, Rhys T. W., & Stade, William, (ed.), Pāli-English Dictionary, (London: Pāli Text Society, 1998).
Goenka, S. N., Metiatation Now: Inner Peace through Inner Wisdom, (Washington: Vipassanā Research Publications, 2002).
Jayatillake, K. N., Buddhism and Peace, (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1962).
Kosambi, D. D., The Culture and Civilization of Ancient India in Historical Outline, (India: Reprint, 1992).
Mon, Tin Mehm, Dr., The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma, (Yangon: Mya Mon Yadanar Publication, 1995).
Maurice, Wilshe, (trs.), The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Dīgha Nikāya), (Boston: Wisdom Publication, 1987).
Ñanamoli, Bhikkhu, (trs.), The Guide, (Netti-pakaranam), (London: Pāli Text Society, 1977).
Ñanamoli, Bhikkhu, & Bodhi, Bhikkhu, (trs.), The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikāya), (Boston: Wisdom Publication, 2005).
Nyanaponika Thera, The Roots of Good and Evil, (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1978).
Ñānamoli, Bikkhu, The Path of Purification, (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 2006).
Prof, A. P. Buddhadatta, Maha Nāyaka Thera, The New Pāli Course, (Sri Lanka: Buddhist Cultural Center, 1977).
Palihawadana, Mahinda, “The Theravāda Analysis of Conflicts,” in Buddhism, Conflict and Violence in Morern Sri Lanka Edited by Haninda, Deegalle, (london: Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, 1996).
Tin, Mya Daw, M. A., (trs.), The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories, (Yangon: Burma Tipitaka Association, 1986).
Tan, Piya, “Yonisomanasikāra Sampadā Sutta: The Discourse on the Accomplishment of Wise Attention,” in Sutta Discovery (SD), Vol. 34, No. (12), (Singapore: The Minding Center, 2007).
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of International Buddhist Studies
Buddhist Research Institute,MahachulalongkornrajavidyalayaUninversity,
79 M.1, PhahonYothin Rd., LamSai, Wang Noi, PhraNakhon Si Ayutthaya,
13170,Thailand