Abstract

             This Thesis is aimed to; 1) studying history and background of Samanerasor novices in Buddhism, 2) studying the living of Samaneras in Dhammapada commentary, 3) studying the way of enlightenment of novices in Dhammapada commentary. It was a documentary research. From the study, the findings were that;

The word“Sāmaṇeras” in Buddhism camefromPali word referring to boys with age under 20 years old, ordained as a novice e by taking 10 precepts. The first novice in Buddhism was Rahula. There are 8 types of Buddhist ordination, i.e. Ehibhikkhu-upasampadā or ordination granted by Buddha himself etc. Samaneras ordination was allowed by taking Tisaranagamanupasampadāor ordaining by taking three refuges only.

From study of living of Samaneras in Dhammpada Commentary, it found that each novice had performed perfections in different way, some was born in common family, some in rich family with the great reflections on the Buddha’s teaching then ordained as novice by different motivation, for example,Ven. Mahapanthaka had often listened Buddha’s teaching with his grandfather then desired to renunciation, asking permission from his grandfather. Having permitted, he went to inform the Buddha, later the Buddha gave him the hand of one Bhikkhu who takes arm-giving practice to ordain him as Samaneras.After ordained as novice, he had studied hard and good memorize the teaching. When completed 20 years old,hewas ordained as a Bhikkhu, practicing and enable to enter 4 form trances, leaving the trance the attained Arahantaship. Buddha granted him an excellent Bhikkhu in insight meditation expert.

In practical way for enlightenment of novices, it found that some novice had attained enlightenment because of his perfection accumulating from previous lives, reminding his seeing the Buddha and his previous deeds in past, some had attained enlightenment with perfect faculties and great liberation, only considering the teaching taught by master, some got enlightenment just finishing his hair-shape, some with perfect wisdom and hard practice attained Arahantship while ordaining, some gained Arahantship after having ordained as a Bhikkhu. All novices had gained enlightenment due to their previous perfection accumulating, learning and practice Dhamma rightly.

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