Abstract:
This research paper aims has two objectives; 1) To study the content and virtues in Uppalāvannāsutta, and 2) to study Vipassana meditation practice in Uppalavannāsutta by taking the data from Theravada Buddhist scriptures, i.e. Tipitaka, commentary, Pakaranavisesa texts, and other related scriptures and then brought to summarize, analyze and finally compile in descriptive style. From the study, it found that;
The study found that Uppalavannāsutta deals with the story of Uppalavanna Bhikkhuni. In the discourse, she had a very beautiful complexion appeared like lotus. while going to arm-giving, Māra or devil tried to cause here fearful, she knew that this was a devil, and taught the Mara that even if she was alone, but never felt frightened, and the devil could not see her because she was a master of the mind, freed from all desires that bind man with fear, and already achieved perfect enlightenment. Hearing that, the devil was saddened by knowing that she recognized him then disappeared. The key teachings found in Uppalavannāsutta were Māra, bond defilements and the 4 Iddhipāda or the path of accomplishment namely Chanda, Viriya, Citta and Vimangsā, which are important virtues that support the development of vipassana meditation for advance.
For the development of Vipassana practice, after have been ordained, Ubonwanna Bhikkhuni, while have lit a lamp to provide light at the temple hall used the flame as an object contemplation until the mind became concentrated with Tejokasina attainment, which is a practice using Samatha at first. After that, the Samatha meditation was used as a base of Vipassana cultivation. She observed the ever changing of flame until the mind realizes the impermanence attaining enlightenment through the Four Noble Truths by cultivating Samatha and Vipassanā in accordance with the principles of Satipatthana, which is the determination of the true nature of body, feelings, minds and thought construction, or in short, the observing five aggregates falling into Tilakkhaṇa as they were. Finally, she attained Nibbana, becoming an Arahantship. Uppalavanna Bhikkhuni was regarded by the Buddha as the excellent Bhikkhuni position with great supernatural power like Moggallana as the very powerful Bhikkhu.