Abstract:
This thesis was conducted for three objectives; to study the enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism, to study the perfection cultivation and enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism, and to study of the perfection cultivation and enlightenment of Venerable Kimbhilathera. Clarified data are taken from the Theravada Buddhist scriptures and other related documents, then composed, summarized, analyzed, explained in details, corrected and verified by Buddhist scholars. From the study it found that;
The enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism means entering of nine supermundane states (Lokuttara): consciousness upgrading from worldly person to be Noble Person by eliminating all defilements such as ignorance, craving, clinging, fetters and etc. Arranges by the stage of mind purification from the first level Noble Person Sotāpanna (Stream- enterer) to the highest level Noble Person Arahantaship, enter the Nibbāna with abandonment by cutting off or extirpation (Samucchedapahāna). The Nine Superundane States are four path (Magga), four fruits (Phala), and one Nibbāna.
The Perfection Performing in Theravada Buddhism is the accumulating of ten kind of goodness: giving, morality and etc. for entering the highest level of Dhamma and becoming the Arahanta in Nibbāna. The completeness of Perfections depends on the intention which is correlated with period of performing. The Perfections performer can be classified into two types: (1) Bhuddha enlightenment performers have to perform the Perfections more than two Asaṅkheyya incalculable period; (2) Disciple of the Buddha enlightenment performers have to perform the Perfections more than one Asaṅkheyya incalculable period and one hundred thousand aeon (Kappa) or more, depends on their intentions.
. Kimbhilathera performed the ten Perfections since previous existences until the last, for example, he used to bring various flowers to worship the relics of Kakusandha Bhudda with the highest homage. His ten Perfections was completed in the age of Gotama Bhuddha and finally supported him enter the Nibbāna. Most of his enlightenment practices focused on the contemplation of body foulness which calls Tacapañcaka Kammaṭṭhāna or Mūla Kammaṭṭhāna. By contemplation five parts of the body: hair, body hair, nails, teeth and skin, the mindfulness on body conditions (Kāyagatā-sati) of body contemplation section (Kāyānupassanā) in foundation of mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna). Finally, he entered the Nine Superundane respectively, became one of eighty major arahanta disciples as his Perfections performed.
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Center Library