Abstract:
Thesis titled A Comparative Study of Basic Needs in the Pattakamma Sutta with Maslows Hierarchy of Needs focusses on the following objectives: 1) to study the Pattakamma Sutta and Maslows hierarchy of needs theory, 2) to analyze Pattakamma Sutta and Maslows hierarchy of needs theory, and 3) to compare the concept of basic needs in Pattakamma Sutta and Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Theory. It was qualitative research.
The results of the research revealed that Pattakamm Sutta refers to the Buddhas discourse presenting the basic needs desired in this world and the next world by human being. There are four desired objects of man: (1) wealth (Bhoga), (2) rank (Yasa), (3) good health and longevity, and (4) heaven entering after death. They also aim to gain 3 benefits: 1) primary benefits (Diṭṭhadhammikattha), 2) next life benefits (Samparāyikattha), 3) perfect benefits (Paramattha). Pattakamma Sutta has described the results of basic needs of human or desires in this world and the next that everyone long for. In worldly level, the man needs properties, money, good family and longevity, and in next world, man desires the heavenly birth and enlightenment. To fulfill such longing, one must strive for good, right, and proper practice in order to achieve the desired aims, which are the happy life in this world and the next.
Maslows hierarchical theory of needs is a concept proposing that human beings naturally are encouraged to fulfill their primary needs at first, by starting from the bottom to the top. These needs are; 1) physical needs, 2) security, safety, 3) love or belonging, 4) respect, and 5) the attainment of meaningful life or fulfillment. The five needs according to this theory has been summed up into 2 groups: 1) needs that arise when there is a shortage and 2) the needs which do not arise from a shortage, but from human desire to grow. The hierarchy of needs theory expresses basic human desires from the lowest level, namely physical health, safety, social acceptance, status, and success in life, respectively, all are viewed from the causal line of living which meets a good quality of life accordingly.
Comparison of basic needs in Pattakamma Sutta with Maslows hierarchical theory of needs revealed that 1) Background and significance showed that the needs found in Pattakamma Sutta were caused by the fruits of human action which is a profound code of virtuous living, while the need in Maslows hierarchical theory was originated from basic need of man in general for better life, 2) in the aspect of objective and scope of meaningful life, Pattakamm Sutta emphasizes on benefits, including benefits in this world or present life, the next world and the utmost benefit (Nibbāna) focusing on moral practice. Maslows hierarchy of needs theory focuses only on the benefits in this world to fulfill one own basic need and to develop oneself without limiting whether they are good or bad; 3) in the aspect of outstanding, needs in Pattakamma Sutta represented that the benefits will be gained without gradual process, while in hierarchy of need theory presented by Maslow features a clear sequence of steps and no complexity in practice.