Essay name: Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
Author:
Le Chanh
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This critical study of Ahara (鈥渇ood鈥�) explores its significance in Buddhism, encompassing both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, highlights how all human problems, including suffering and happiness, are connected to Ahara. Understanding this concept is crucial for comprehending and alleviating suffering, aiming for a balanced, enlightened life.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
38 (of 38)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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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 'self-
thought 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 膩h膩ra in the Pa帽ca Nik膩ya is to review the
authentic meaning of 膩h膩ra 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 膩h膩ra in
the works of modern scholars and different religions. This is dicussed next.
