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The present study entitled "A critical study of ahara and its importance as depicted in the Panca Nikaya" comprises seven chapters. Chapter I: Introduction In the introduction of the present thesis, an attempt is made to consider the current human problems in which ahara are the basic cause. This chapter emphasizes that all things have stemmed from ahara. In this chapter, the object and method of the research and primary sources of the study are discussed.

36 Chapter II: Concept of Ahara in the works of modern scholars and other religions This chapter is to survey the concept of ahara in the works of modern scholars and other religions. From their points of view on food, the present research work has been developed better. Chapter III: Ahara and specific teachings of the Buddha The Buddha's teaching on the food in the Pali Nikaya centers mainly around the term ahara; therefore, this chapter has introduced the teachings on ahara that pervade all specific teachings of the Buddha. It is found embodied in the earliest and most authenticated formulations and classifications of the Buddhist doctrine such as ahara and the Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination, the Three Characteristic of Dhamma, the theory of Action (karma,) Rebirth, and the Five Aggregates. Through these doctrines, this chapter has established the value and importance of the Buddha's teachings on ahara in the system of Buddhist tenets. These doctrines are like the miraculous keys to understand the door of painful life that have been mentioned in this chapter. This chapter also emphasizes that those, who understand fully the concept of ahara in Buddhism, will understand the Buddha's teachings, and know the cause of suffering and the way to end it. Chapter IV: Concept of Ahara in Buddhism The main issues have been discussed in more details in this chapter. The aim of this chapter is to make an attempt at enumerating the prominent kinds of food for the maintenance of beings and for the assistance of those seeking birth. It has explained the meaning of ahara and introduced the four kinds of nutriment found in the Panca Nikaya and in other Commentaries (atthakatha,) after that they have been considered singly in details. It emphasizes that the operation of the four aharas is

37 that of the Five Aggregates and of the Twelve Links, of suffering. It has arrived at a serious survey finding that the eater not only has consumed food, but also food has consumed him; they have constantly consumed each other. This chapter is to point out the problems of happiness and sufferings of a human being because of the craving for the four types of food. Chapter V: Buddhist view on man and his aharas This chapter concentrates on examining the so-called man in Indian thought before the advent of Lord Buddha. The so-called man in Buddhism found in different forms that are always nourished and sustained by four types of ahara has been introduced in this chapter. This chapter has made an attempt at demonstrating that 'man is cattara ahara.) Ahara and the problems of hunger, health, disease, and beauty have been discussed in this chapter. Especially, this chapter has emphasized that environment is the main source of food supply for both the body and the mind. Therefore, man must protect the environment as he does for him. Chapter VI: Cultivation of four kinds of Ahara The study of the Buddha's teaching is to refer to the purpose of elimination of pain of the body and the mind, of achievement of true happiness in this life. Therefore, the spirit of the practical applications is always encouraged by Lord Buddha. In order to refresh personality effectively, this chapter has given the useful methods and instructions about the cultivation of the four foods to the public. This chapter has asserted that human dignity is quite dependent on the way of eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lying, thinking, touching, and acting; all these ways contain the meaning of food in Buddhism.

38 Chapter VII: Conclusion In conclusion, some important observations are brought into notice by the present research. Through the doctrine of Dependent Origination, the Four Noble Truths, it has been emphasized that a man is merely a conditioned being, conditioned by four kinds of food; man or food is not regarded as entity having a permanent self, but impermanent and not-self. If one understands this, he can find a new source of nutrition for him to refresh his life, to help him live happier. However, for a long time, human race has been nourished and sustained by the inherent foods such as 'selfthought food, desire food, grasping food, greed food, and others. When these kinds of food are digested, they have brought to life a lot of troubles and crises to man. For the above reasons, this chapter has given new courses of nutrition for individual and community as well as solutions for the various current crises such as health crisis, sense organs crisis, will crisis, consciousness crisis, conscience crisis, hunger crisis, and educational crisis. A critical study of ahara in the Panca Nikaya is to review the authentic meaning of ahara as taught by Lord Buddha in order to help people know how to realize the valuable source of nutrition for true happiness and the origin of the nutrition that brings suffering. Before studying this, it is necessary to survey the concept of ahara in the works of modern scholars and different religions. This is dicussed next.