Selected Topics in Development of Buddhism

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF NIYĀMA

BY

SANU MAHATTHANADULL, PH.D.

THE INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST STUDIES COLLEGE, MCU

AUGUST 28 , 2015

Examples of topic for doing the assignments

The Buddha’s Bodies (Kāya) Pure Mind (Amalavijñāna) Emptiness (Suññatā) The Worthy One (Arahant) The EnlightenmentBeing

(Bodhisattva) The Supreme Happiness (Nibbāna) Action (Kamma) Reincarnation (Avatāra) Caste (Vañña) Meditation Tranquility development

(Samatha-bhāvanā)

Insight meditation (Vipassanā-bhāvanā)

Ordination (Pabbajjā or upasampadā)

Aggregate (Khandha) The Four elements Extremes (Antā) Peace (Santi) Niyāma The monastic order (Saṅgha) Characteristic behavior (Carita) Cosmos (Cakkavāḷa)

Continueing…

Examples of topic for doing the assignments (cont.)

Origin of the world and the universe

Hell and Heaven The Three Spheres (Tebhūmi) Charity (Dāna) Merit (Puñña) A serpentlike water-god (Nāga) The Five precepts (Pañcasīla)

The Fundamental Precepts (Pāṭimokkha)

The Buddha’s relics (Dhātu) The four requisites (Pacaya)

Almfood (Piṇḍdapāta) Forest Robe (Paṁsukūla-cīvara) Ghost (Peta) The Brahma world (Brahmacariya) Buddha image (Buddhapaṭimā or

Buddharūpa) Buddha’s footprint (Buddhapāda) Vegetarianism (Maṁsavirati) Sacrifice (Yañña) Fetters (Saṁyojana) Etc.

Niyāma: The Buddhist Laws of NatureHow different between primary and secondary sources? Meaning Constituents Significance etc.

1.Niyāma in Tipiṭaka

It has the more causative sense of: Inevitability certainty The nature of the fixed course of the Dhamma.

1.Niyāma in Tipiṭaka (cont.)

The Paccayasutta: katamo ca bhikkhave, paṭiccasamuppādo. jātipaccayā

bhikkhave jarāmaraṇaṃ uppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ anuppādā vā tathāgatānaṃ ṭhitāva sā dhātu dhammaṭṭhitatā dhammaniyāmatā idapaccayatā

Whether there is an arising of Tathāgatas or no arising of Tathāgatas, that element still persists, the stableness of the Dhamma, the fixed course of the Dhamma (dhamma-niyāmatā), specific conditionality.

S.II. 25.

1.Niyāma in Tipiṭaka (cont.)

The Uppādāyasutta: uppādā vā bhikkhave tathāgatānaṃ anuppādā vā

tathāgatānaṃ ṭhitāva sā dhātu dhammaṭṭhitatā dhammaniyāmatā sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā’ti . . . sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā’ti . . . sabbe dhammā anattā’ti

Monks, whether there be an appearance or non-appearance of Tathāgata, this causal law of nature , this orderly fixing of things prevails, namely, All phenomena are impermanent… misery. . . Not the self.

A.I.285.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold Niyāma:I. Bīja-niyāmaII. Utu-niyāmaIII.Kamma-niyāmaIV.Dhamma-niyāmaV. Citta-niyāma

DhsA.272.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold NiyāmaI. Bīja-niyāma:Of these, the Germinal order [reveals] a giving of this and that similar modes of fruition to this or that seed, as in the gram’s top shoots sprouting to the north, the southern creeper growing round a tree from the right, the sunflower’s facing the sun, the Māluva creeper growing towards a tree, the holes occurring in the top of the cocoanut.

DhsA.272.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold NiyāmaII. Utu-niyāma:The Caloric order is the simultaneous blossoming, fructifying and sprouting of such and such trees at such and such seasons.

DhsA.272.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold NiyāmaIII. Kamma-niyāma:

Thrice-conditioned kamma gives thrice-conditioned, twice-conditioned, unconditioned result; twice-conditioned kamma gives twice-conditioned, unconditioned result, not thrice-conditioned result – this giving of suitable results by various kammas is the Moral Order.

DhsA.274.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold NiyāmaIV. Dhamma-niyāma:Bodhisats taking conception, being born of a mother, their final enlightenment, as Tathāgata turning the wheel of Dhamma, the surrender of life and uter passing away:- the world-earthquake at each is of the Dhamma Order.

DhsA.274.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.) The Fivefold Niyāma

V. Citta-niyāma:

And when an object strikes the sentient organism there is no doer or instigator to say, “Be thou adverting,” etc. From the time the object strikes the sentient organism; each according to its own nature adverting by the five doors agitates the life-continuum, visual cognition accomplishes the function of receiving, the resultant mind-cognition-element that of examining, the inoperative mind-cognition-element that of determining, apperception enjoys the taste of the object:- all this is understood as the Psychical Order. DhsA.274.

2.Exegetical Works (cont.)

The Fivefold Niyāma

Caloric Order

Germinal Order

Moral Order

Dhamma Order

Psychical Order

3.Modern Interpretations

Buddha-Niyāma as the order of the Buddha which showing that the enlightenment of the Buddha was not coincidence. Meanwhile, Savaka-Niyāma in his aspect means the order of the disciples comprising the laymen, devas and Brahmās who have received deliverance from any one of the many Buddhas. Lastly, Jati-Niyāma represents the order of birth

(Ledi Sayadaw, 1978: 178, 247)

3.Modern Interpretations (cont.)

The Sixfold Niyāma Phra Debvedī has proposed the Sixth Law called Saṅgamaniyama (Law of social-สั�งคมนิ�ยมนิ) which related particularly to human beings.

(Phra Debvedī , 2003 C.E: 156)

Conclusion of the Development

Tipiṭaka 

Commentaries 

Ledi Sayadaw 

Phra Debvedī  

1.Dhamma-niyāmatā 

1.Bīja-niyāma 1 1

- 2.Utu-niyāma 2 2- 3.Kamma-niyāma 3 3- 4.Dhamma-niyāma 4 4- 5.Citta-niyāma 5 5- - 6.Buddha-Niyāma 6.Saṅgamaniyama- - 7.Savaka-Niyāma -- - 8.Jati-Niyāma -