A Critical Study of the Principles and Practices of Lanna Kammaṭṭhāna as Found in Buddhist Literatures

Abstract

This research article contains three objectives: 1) to examine the meaning, importance, types, and practices of meditation in Buddhist literature, 2) to explore the meaning, pattern and principle of Lanna Kammatthãna and 3) to analyze the principle of practicing Lanna Kammatthãna as found in the Buddhist literature.

The results revealed the term ‘Kammatthãna’ referred to the basis of meditation in Theravada Buddhist tradition, one of the objects of mental concentration or a stage of meditation employing it. Meditation is significant because it is a method for purifying defilements. Predominantly, it is classified into two techniques that exist in Buddhist literature: Samatha meditation and Vipassana meditation.

The meaning of the Lanna Buddhist Kammatthana represents a way of mental training in the form of Kammatthana practice in Lanna Buddhism. The usage of the rosary counting technique and reciting the Lanna Pali language, for example, were revealed in the Lanna meditation practice. As in the practice of meditation, it was discovered that the emphasis was on Samatha Kammatthãna rather than Visspasana Meditation. The chief principle of meditation practice is discovered to agree with the fundamental premise of Buddhism, namely the lavish cessation of defilements and suffering.

When examining the principles of Lanna meditation practice found in Buddhist literature, like the Visuddhimagga scriptures, it was discovered that the patterns of mental development differed significantly in many areas, including mental development equipment and the way of taking on oneself before beginning meditation practice or the so-called Samadana.