AN ANALTICAL STUDY OF SIMILES IN THE NIKAYAS

AN ANALTICAL STUDY OF SIMILES IN THE NIKAYAS

Name: Ven.WalmoruwePiyarathana

keyword: Buddhism

; Research

Abstract: The aim of this research is to discuss the role of similes used by the Buddha and his contemporaries as found in the Nikayas. During the course of this work, I have discovered the following results: The main reason for the Buddha's use of similes was that of being able to appeal to the different dispositions of his listeners (puggalavemattatas). People come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. When the Buddha taught his doctrine, he wanted to explain doctrinal matters in a manner suited to the differences background and understanding of his listeners. Using similes was the best method to present the doctrine in a way his audience would find familiar. When doctrinal matters were conveyed by way of similes involving topics with which they were familiar, they could understand them easily. The Buddha's doctrine is deep in meaning. It penetrates our conceptual knowledge. Our language is based upon our conceptual framework. Therefore, doctrinal points can not always be expressed through the direct use of language. The Buddha was very careful in his use of language. When he found that direct expression failed to communicate doctrinal matters, he instead used similes to elucidate them. With similes, he was able to go beyond the limits of direct language. Similes proved very useful, particularly when explaining doctrines that were unique to Buddhism. Similes therefore played a vital role in expounding the Buddha's doctrines. Moreover, similes are of the greatest importance when studying the history of Indian culture. A wide variety of similes depict the daily life of the ancient Indian people, including that of merchants, workers, gamblers, drivers of carts and horses, etc. In such similes, we are able to observe the entire work of various professions, such as that of the goldsmith, and the techniques employed in the whole process of taming elephants, or of healing a man wounded by a poisoned arrow, and so on. Similes considerably enrich, and enhance the value of, Pali literature.

มหาวิทยาลัยมหาจุฬาลงกรณราชวิทยาลัย

Address: วัดมหาธาตุ แขวงพระบรมมหาราชวัง เขตพระนคร กรุงเทพฯ

Email: library@mcu.ac.th

Name: Phramedhiratanadhilok

Role: อาจารย์ที่ปรึกษา

Name: Phra Srisitthimuni

Role: อาจารย์ที่ปรึกษา

Name: Choosak Tipkesorn

Role: อาจารย์ที่ปรึกษา

Created: 2005

Modified: 2568-09-29

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

ส่วนหอสมุดกลาง

eng

DegreeName: Master of Arts Degrees

Level: Master's Degree

Descipline: Buddhist Studies

Grantor: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

©copyrights Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

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