Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
by Le Chanh | 2010 | 101,328 words
This is a critical study of Ahara and its importance as depicted in the Pancanikaya (Pancha Nikaya).—The concept of Ahara (“food�) in the context of Buddhism encompasses both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya represents the five collections (of discourses) of the Sutta Pitaka within Buddhist literature. The present study emphasizes ...
1.8. Methodology of the present work
Ahara is a condition that affects directly the destiny of man and his world, it is always a burning topic for one to criticize and analyze; therefore, the studies on ahara have contributed to the development of many methodological ideas and issues. In order to achieve the aim and importance of research on ahara, the present researcher attempts to discover methodology which is based on the usefulness and reliability of the Panca Nikaya in order to attempt a study of ahara and its importance in human life. In this work, the present researcher attempts that a central feature of this research will be the presentation of the concepts and the criticism analysis, and interpretation of those concepts on ahara in the teachings of Lord Buddha as well as to mention the new solutions for the safety of ahara of human beings and saving of environment in the future. The Panca Nikaya recorded in the Pali language are translated into English and other languages. The primary sources of the present work are
35 Pali Texts and English translations of Pali Texts Society in London are the secondary sources. To study the concept of ahara in Panca Nikaya is not at all easy at all because not many have studied it as a real project. The few brief writings about ahara in Buddhism, have helped the researcher to develop ideas to present and develop the present thesis. In the course of conducting the research, the present researcher has collected and studied the teachings of ahara from primary sources i.e. Pali Texts and English translations as well. After that the Suttas in which Lord Buddha has taught about ahara are found with different aspects. These collected Suttas have formed the main texts used in the present study. After studying the main texts and the relevant materials, the entire work is in the form of a critical analytical or a critical study. The present work is an interpretation of ahara (food) in relation to human life. While criticizing and analyzing ahara for both physical and mental processes of intake, uptake, and elimination as well, the terms such as eat, feed, nourish, consume, touch, absorb, assimilate, digest, dissimilate, reject, food, nourishment, nutriment have been used throughout the present study.