Abstract:
This research paper contains 2 objectives: 1) to study the content and teachings in Sattaṭṭhāna Sutta, 2) to study of Vipassana practice in Sattaṭṭhāna Sutta. The research data was taken from Theravada Buddhist scriptures and documents related, then summarized, analyzed, and finally compiled in descriptive type.
The findings were that Sattaṭṭhāna Sutta is a compendium contenting of 7 positions, delivered by the Buddha as said that those wise Bhikkhus with 7 positions contemplated on 3 approaches called Uttamapurusa or perfect one, without any defilements, completed their own renunciation life. These seven positions are 5 Aggregates or Khandha, their origin, ceasing, the path leading to aggregates ceasing away, craving for and dangers of aggregates and the way out of aggregate attachment. There were 3 ways of contemplation, i.e., 1) contemplation as the element, 2) contemplation as the senses, and 3) contemplation as dependent origination.
The principle of Vipassana meditation practice in Sataṭṭhāna Sutta showed that a yogi who practices Vipassana should know the five aggregates in the 7 positions; 1) A yogi should understand the form, i.e., the form is impermanent, suffering, and non-self, 2) he knows origin of form, that is, enjoying, admiring, clinging to form, 3) knowing clearly the cessation of form, i.e. not enjoying, not appreciating, not clinging to form, 4) knowing clearly the path leading to the cessation of form which is the Noble Eightfold Path, such as the right view etc. 5) knowing the virtues of form, i.e. the truth realization through the abandoning of worldly happiness and joy that arises from form, 6) knowing the dangers of form, which is enlightenment through observing impermanence, suffering, and non-self, 7) clearly knowing the way out of form refers to realization of lust detachment, way to abandon lust in form. In the case of feeling, perception, thought and consciousness, there are the same ways. As for contemplation of the 5 aggregates by 3 methods of Vipassana meditation, namely; first way is contemplation on 18 elements which are insight planes, i.e. 6 sensual doors, 6 objects, and 6 consciousnesses, including these 18 elements are summarized as form and noun. The second way is to contemplate on 12 Āyatana, which is related to form-nouns that are the Vipassanas planes, and third way, contemplation on Paṭiccasamuppāda, which is the co-existence of the Twelve links starting from ignorance, etc. related to 5 aggregates.