Abstract:
This research paper contains 2 objects; 1) to study the enlightenments approach found in Early Buddhism, 2) to study the enlightenment of Vakkali Bhikkhu appeared in Vakkali Sutta. Research data was taken from primary texts of Early Buddhism and other related documents, summed up, analyzed, compiled in descriptive style.
Its result revealed that enlightenment or the Dhamma attaining or realization. There are two practical guidelines for Dhamma attaining: 1) Samathabhāvanā containing 40 meditative objects, consisting of 10 Kasin, 10 Asubha, 10 Anussati, 4 Brahmavihāra, 4 Arūpajhāna, and 1 Catudhātuvavatthāna, and 2) Vipassanābhāvanā or insight cultivation containing 6 bases of insight objects (Vipassanābhūmi), consisting of 5 Khandha, 12 Āyatana, 18 Dhātu, 22 Indriya, 4 Ariyasacca, and 12 Paṭiccasamuppāda. The mutual relationship between Samatha and Vipassanābhāvanā was classified into 4 types: 1) Samathapubbangama vipassanā, 2) Vipassanāpubbangamasamathabhāvanā, 3) Samathavipassanā yuganaddhabhāvanā, and 4) Dhammuddhaccaviggahitamanasa. As for the results of enlightenment, there are 2 levels: 1) Lokiya or profane, consisting of 4 Jhāna, 4 Arūpajhhāna, and 2) Lokuttra or worldly transcendence, which are Sotapattimagga, Sakadāgamimagga, Anāgāmimagga, and Arahattamagga.
In Vakkali Sutta, Vakkali Bhikkhu attained enlightenment through the Blessed Ones visit, who was greatly enraged. Having known Vakkalis serious sickness due to his longing to come and see him, the Buddha said that seeing His flesh body was useless, those who see Dhamma, will see him, those who saw him will truly see Dhamma and taught him to observe pains by defining the state of pains that arise as it really is without any alteration, such as the feeling of bodily suffering, called Kāyikadukkha, etc.; and the five aggregates, namely form, feeling, perception, thought, and consciousness, as impermanent, suffering, and non-self, then returned to his dwelling place. Later, Vakkali committed suicide with attaining Arahatship along with the quenching of the mind.