AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF INFLUENCE OF DHAMMA SONG LEADING TO ENLIGHTENT FOUND IN ERAKAPATTANAGA OF DHAMMAPADA COMMENTARY

Abstract

This thesis investigated on 3 objectives: 1) to study the history and significant teaching found in Erakapatta Nagaraja story in Dhammapada commentary, 2) to investigate the concept of Dhamma songs, impacting on mental progress of realization, 3) to analyze the influence of Dhamma songs leading to the attainment of Dhamma found in the story of Erakapatta Nagaraja of Dhammapada commentary. It was qualitative research primarily relying on documentary analysis of Tipitaka, commentaries, and other relevant documents, employing a descriptive analytical approach.

          Its findings indicated that the story of Erakapatta Nagaraja appears in both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. Due to past karma, Erakapatta Nagaraja, formerly a Bhikkhu during the time of Kassapa Buddha, committed cutting a grass without confessing. Consequently, he was reborn as the Naga king, Erakapatta, composed Dhamma verses for his daughter to sing on his hood. Uttara youngman, upon hearing the Dhamma through the songs composed by the Buddha in response to the Naga princess’s singing, proceeded to sing Dhamma songs in reply to the Naga daughter’s song. Through contemplation of the Dhamma, Uttara youngman attained enlightenment in final. Erakapatta Nagaraja was liberated from his Naga being and reborn as a human, no longer enduring the suffering of the Naga realm. The virtues found include six sense doors or Āyatana, the four floods or Ogha; Kāmaogha, Bhavaogha, Diṭṭhogha, and Avijjogha. A fool is defined as one who acts wickedly driven by defilements, lacking mindfulness and right view, whereas a wise possesses virtuous thoughts, speech, and actions, guided by wisdom. The four Yogas-sensual desire, becoming, wrong views, and ignorance-are also identified as binding factors. The literary value of the narrative is enhanced by the beautiful Pali verses, which reflect core Dhamma principles and promote its practice.

          Dhamma songs are considered an art form of entertainment and fostering mental progress. Composed by Dhamma with melody and sung expression, they guide the listener’s mind towards morality, concentration, and wisdom. The enlightenment is achieved through the cultivation of Vipassanabhavana to realize the truth of the Three Characteristics of Existence and the Four Noble Truths, through direct experience, leading to Nibbana. This is accomplished by practicing Four Satipatthāna: contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects, the Sutta’s approach and the stages of Vipassanañāṇa. The benefit of the practice is the development of wholesome mind and the attainment of Noble One.