ANALYSIS OF THE PROMOTION OF VIPASSANA MEDITATION PRACTICES THROUGH ASCETIC PRACTICES

Abstract

This research has two objectives: 1) to study the ascetic practices in Theravada Buddhist scriptures and 2) to analyze the promotion of Vipassana meditation practice through ascetic practices. This study is a documentary research. Data from Theravada Buddhist scriptures and related documents were compiled, analyzed, summarized, and described descriptively. The research results revealed that ascetic practices in Theravada Buddhist scriptures are qualities that eliminate defilements that lead to contentment and solitude. They can be divided into 13 types, such as wearing a thin robe (pansukuli kang thung), wearing the triple robe (tejivari kang thung), going on alms rounds (pindapati kang thung), living in the forest away from people for at least 500 bow-lengths (araññikang thung), and abstaining from sleeping, living in only three postures: standing, walking, and sitting (nesajji kang thung). The aim is to emphasize simplicity. To reduce the defilements that are obstacles to the mind and to further promote the practice of Vipassana meditation, promoting the practice of Vipassana meditation with dhutanga practices, that is, having diligence, discernment, and mindfulness in order to purify defilements, can be divided into four categories: using robes as a reminder and cultivating mindfulness in daily life (civara-patisangyutta), accepting alms without selecting food to practice letting go and practicing the development of wisdom (pindapata-patisangyutta), choosing a place to practice or stay simply to create peace and concentration (senasana-patisangyutta), and practicing Dhamma with diligence in three postures: standing, walking, and sitting (viriya-patisangyutta). These practices help to perfect morality, concentration, and wisdom and can promote the attainment of the Dhamma, namely the path, the fruition, and nirvana.