Kebahagiaan pada Bhikkhu Theravada

Abstract

The essence of Buddhism teaching is endowed from the core ideas of Siddhartha Gautama, or who was then called as Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddhist’s life guide is set in sila, in which it is in accordance with the group (Buddhist Parisad). In actual practice, the Theravada Bhikkhu leave their family life to have a simple life, they should not eat after the noon, they are not allowed to listen to a song, watch dance performance, not allowed to do anything that aims to fulfill sense happiness. By observing Bhikkhu’s life that is full of limitations, the researcher interested to study the happiness in Theravada Bhikkhu. The research aims at revealing the happiness in Theravada Bhikkhu in Indonesia. Qualitative is chosen as the method, with phenomenological approach model. The research subject includes three Theravada Bhikkhu in Padepokan Dhammadipa Arama Batu East Java, Indonesia. The data collected by in-depth interviews, field notes, and gathered from documents. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and validated using participant checks. The results showed that the meaning of happiness for Theravada Bhikkhu is the creation of clean mental state; a condition in which the mind is free from things that shackle the self. In this study, happiness in Theravada Bhikkhu is reflected in three aspects: cognitive, positive relationships with others, and personality.
 Hakikat ajaran Budha dapat diketemukan melalui pemikiran inti dari pemikiran Sidharta Gautama atau kemudian disebut Shakyamuni Budha. Panduan kehidupan umat Budha diatur dalam sila sesuai dengan kelompok umat Budha (Budha Parisad). Di dalam praktik yang nyata, para Bhikkhu Theravada meninggalkan kehidupan berkeluarga, menjalani kehidupan sederhana, tidak boleh makan lebih dari jam 12 siang, tidak diperbolehkan mendengarkan lagu, melihat tari-tarian dan tidak melakukan sesuatu yang bertujuan kesenangan indria semata. Melihat tata cara kehidupan Bhikkhu yang penuh batasan itulah, penulis tertarik untuk meneliti tentang kebahagiaan pada Bhikkhu Theravada. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengungkapkan kebahagiaan pada Bhikkhu Theravada di Indonesia. Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif dengan model pendekatan fenomenologi. Subjek pada penelitian ini adalah tiga Bhikkhu Theravada di Padepokan Dhammadipa Arama Batu Jawa Timur Indonesia. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara mendalam (in depth interview), catatan lapangan (field notes) dan dokumen. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis tematik dan validasi data menggunakan cek partisipan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa makna kebahagiaan pada Bhikkhu Theravada adalah terciptanya kondisi batin yang bersih, artinya sebuah kondisi di mana batin terbebas dari hal-hal yang dapat membelenggu diri. Kebahagiaan pada Bhikkhu Theravada pada penelitian ini tergambar pada tiga aspek kebahagiaan yakni aspek kognitif, aspek hubungan positif dengan orang lain dan aspek kepribadian.

Sufistic Meditation as a Form of Happiness Transformation

“…The essence of Buddhism can be found in the core of the thoughts of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Shakyamuni Buddha. The Buddha's journey to seek enlightenment and what he did after gaining enlightenment became the core of life that many people learned and taught from one generation to another (Avezahra et al, 2021). Meditation comes from the Latin meditate, later transformed into meditation, derived from the word med meaning "mind" or "attention".…”

“…After one's mind becomes calm, insight comes up. Buddhist meditation has meanings that are embodied in individual experiences (Avezahra et al, 2021): (a) Yama, avoiding evil deeds, which is more about self-control; (b) Niyama, the observance of moral rules; (c) asana (the most famous), posture or position, the "lotus flower" posture where one sits with the soles of the feet placed on the thighs in opposition; (d) Pranayama, breath practice; (e) Pratyhara, controlling the five senses; (f) Dharana, calming the mind with full concentration on an object; and (g) Samadhi, attaining pure consciousness in the highest level of the state.…”

“…The meditation taught in Buddhism does not aim to unite with God or have a mystical experience, nor to hypnotize oneself, rather to achieve equanimity and insight with the sole aim of attaining an unshakable state of mind, the ultimate guarantee of freedom from the bondage of impurities. Van Den Berg and Mulder in Avezahra et al, (2021) suggested that meditation can increase ego strength, satisfaction, selfactualization, trust in others, and improve self-image. Therefore, an outline of the focus of this research can be drawn to reveal happiness in Theravada monks.…”

“…In the Buddhist approach, the dimension of happiness can be explained through the notion of Sukha. Ekman, et al in Avezahra et al, (2021) translated Sukha from Sanskrit as follows: A state of flourishing arising from mental balance and insight into the nature of reality. More than fleeting emotions or moods aroused by sensory and conceptual stimuli, Sukha is an enduring trait that arises from a state of mental equilibrium.…”