The Source of Knowledge in Theravāda

Buddhist Philosophy
Ratanak Keo1,
PhrakhruBhavanabodhikun2 and Suwin Thongpan3
Mahachulalongkornrajavidya University, KhonKaen Campus, Thailand
Corresponding Author; Email: [email protected]

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Abstract*
The objectives of the research aims (1) to study the theory of
knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy, (2) to study the source of
knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy and (3) to find out the practical
guidelines based on source of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy.
This is documentary research. The data was collecting from relevant sources:
primary, secondary and related document. The collected data were analysis in
favour of descriptive analysis based on inductive method.
Theory of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy was basic
knowledge of concepts, ideas or "universals. It focuses on the study of
Epistemology in East. All sources of knowledge can be concluded into the
parts. The concept of west and Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy, the
knowledge is divided into three level-perception, inference and intuition which
can be compared to Suta-mayā-paññā, Cintā-mayā-paññā and Bhāvanā-mayā-
paññā. The source of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy was 1) the
knowledge based on listening or learning (SMP), 2) The knowledge based on
thinking (CMP) and 3) the knowledge based on mental development (BMP).
Some practical guidelines based on source of knowledge in Theravāda
Buddhist Philosophy was the knowledge obtained from listening to others 1)
listening by delivering knowledge, listening well with respect and 2) listening
by using six-sense-bases: listening and sound is related to consciousness and
can create the wisdom by the depended system of six internal-external pairs of
sense bases with reasoned attention (yonisomanasikara). The knowledge
obtained from one's own thinking: 1) thinking is intellectual, analytical

*
ได้รับบทความ: 2 ธันวาคม 2562; แก้ไขบทความ: 25 ธันวาคม 2562; ตอบรับตีพิมพ์: 26 ธันวาคม 2562
Received: December 2, 2019; Revised: December 25, 2019; Accepted: December 26, 2019
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understanding and wisdom should be cultivated 2) thinking is cultivates must

be the thinking in good or positives ways as in the three of eightfold path and
3) thinking as three characteristics. The knowledge obtained by meditation
that comes from the direct experience of the truth: 1) control of the mind and
do metal development, 2) evolution of the mind: doing concentration and 3)
mind consciousness: doing insight meditation. Source of knowledge are the
sources of learning, practice in daily life to solve the problem of living, covert
to the wise man to live happy in present, next life and finally reach the higher
goal of human being. It is also the practical and alive ways of cultivating of
knowledge for using to change to be correct goal of life.

Keyword: Source of Knowledge

Introduction
The original sources of knowledge are discussed more and more from
pass until present. Many kinds of source are differently understanding by the
philosophers and religious scholars in the East and West. The characteristics
of source of knowledge (Tripathi, 1985) is like what cause to know the reason
and why. In Buddhist concepts, knowledge refers to wisdom. Most Western
Philosophers study the theory of completed knowledge that is always called
epistemology but they do not focus on the study of original courses of
knowledge or wisdom where it comes from, how it exist and how we can
follow that ways to cultivate knowledge (paññā) for using in the daily life.
The knowledge is one of the most important practices to understand real life
and release from suffering and finally reach real happiness.
In living as a human being, it is very important to use knowledge to
live happily and to depend on anyone who has knowledge or wisdom, or
scholar for leading their lives in a correct way and to find happiness in worldly
ways and Dhamma ways, that why human being tries to find many ways to
develop themselves to become a wise man (Bandita).
In Buddhism, the highest goal is to enlighten the Four Noble Truths
and reach Nibbāna. The enlightenment depend on wisdom (Paññā) that comes
from the three sources which come from three sources; (1) Sutamaya paññā
(SMP): wisdom resulting from study; knowledge that is learned from others or
knowledge base on listening or learning, (2) Cintāmaya paññā (CMP):
wisdom resulting from reflection; knowledge that is thought out, knowledge
base on thinking and (3) Bhāvanāmaya paññā (BMP): wisdom resulting from
mental development; knowledge that is gained by development or practice or
knowledge base on mental developing. One of them, BMP leads to
sustainable meditation and makes many kinds of knowledge; especially makes
six super knowledge (Abhiññā) (Payutto), 2011), (In the Pali Canon, the
higher knowledge is often enumerated in a group of six or of three types of
knowledge. The six types of higher knowledge (chalabhiññā) are: (1) iddhi-
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vidhā ‘magical powers’, (2) dibba-sota "Divine ear", (3) ceto-pariya-ñāṇa "
penetration of the minds of others, (4) pubbe-nivāsanussati "Remembrance of
former existences, (5) dibba-cakkhu "Divine eye" and (6) āsavakkhaya "
knowledge of the exhaustion of all mental intoxicants). (D.II)
Paññā: wisdom is the specific Buddhist knowledge, however, as part
of Noble Eight Fold Path (Magga) to deliverance is insight (Vippasannā). For
instant paññā which brings about the state of holiness and realization of
Nibbāna and which consists in the penetration of the three characteristics,
impermanent (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha) and non-self (Annatta) of all forms
of existence. On the other hand, one distinguishes three kind of knowledge.
The sources of this knowledge (Paññā) based on the aggregates of
perception and mental development which is related to consciousness. The
consciousness is the important elements in the product of experiences which is
nearly realization to objects. It plays on important roles in all mental activities
in one of all senses. The knowledge is a capacity of state inside the body and
outside the materials depend on aggregates of perception and mental
foundation mean that to exist the wisdom which objects come in contact, and
when consciousness is also associated with the physical factors of the
experiences. (Symposium, 2012). The aggregate consciousness arises. The
source of Paññā is the important parts to understand the real life, release from
suffering (reach Nibbāna). There are the ways of practice to cultivate the
knowledge (Paññā) taught by Buddha. He taught to collect wisdom by SMP,
CMP and BMP. And the most important remembrance is the wisdom from
mental development, is the ways of controlling, self-training by meditation
until understanding clearly the Four Noble Truths.

Objectives of the Study

1. To study the theory of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist
Philosophy
2. To study the source of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist
Philosophy
3. To find out some practical guidelines based on source of knowledge
in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy

Scope of the Study

This research aim to study the concepts of knowledge in Theravada
Buddhist Philosophy that covers the concept in Buddhist epistemology and it
is divided in two scopes of the study as follows:
1.Scope of Text:
a) Primary sources: (PTS) Pāli Texts society, commentaries
and sub-commentaries
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b) Secondary sources: books, thesis, dissertations, texts and

academic papers as well as websites.
2. Scope of subject-matter/Contents
a) Theory of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy
b) The source of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy
c) Find out some practical guidelines based on source of
knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy

Research Methodology
This is documentary research in line with the qualitative one with
emphasis on documents. Its methodology can be divided into three stages as
the follows:
1. The data collecting from relevant sources: (PTS) Pāli Texts society,
commentary, sub- commentary, texts, books, research works, dissertations,
academic papers and other sources.
2.The data analysis: the collected data were analysis in favour of
descriptive analysis based on inductive method.
3. The research findings in the form of final copy are report to the
concerned agencies, and also are the conclusions and suggestions at the hands.

Research Result
Theory of Knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy: it
focuses on the study of Epistemology East. Indian Epistemology is the oldest
philosophy in the word and it is defined as the way of life. The knowledge in
Buddhism under Indian thought and Buddhism accepts all of other sources of
knowledge carefully.
The sources of knowledge come from many kinds of source such as the
principles, sense-data, learning, listening, examination, and so on, but
according with Theravada Buddhist epistemology the sources of knowledge
are concluded into three kinds: knowledge based on learning and listening
(suta mayā paññā), (2) knowledge based on thinking (cintā maya paññā) and
(3) knowledge based on doing and developing (bhāvanā maya paññā) and this
sources depended on six-sense-bases’ denotes an internal sense organ which
interacts with sense objects that include sense impressions’, feelings,
perceptions and volition.
The three kinds of knowledge in term of Theravada Buddhist
Philosophy: (1) Perception is knowledge exist across the six-sense-basse. It is
knowledge is from experiences tough, listening (Suta-mayā-paññā), (2)
Inference is steps in reasoning, moving from premises to logical consequences
which is from cause and result of thinking, from thinking. It is the reason by
inference (Cintā-mayā-paññā), (3) Intuition-Inner-wisdom: is means the
possibility of understanding or knowing something immediately without
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having to go through thinking, an experiment or interrogation (Bhāvanā-mayā-

paññā) In order to refine to get the new knowledge it should use the way of
three kinds of knowledge with reasoned attention (yonisomanasikāra) and
system of kalama sutta.
The level of knowledge: (1), knowledge exists across the six-sense-
bases such as experiences tough, listening and so on called ‘perception’ or the
‘knowledge base on listening or learning, suta-mayā-paññā’. It is considered
as mundane wisdom or worldly knowledge (external knowledge). (2)
Knowledge exists across reasoning, moving from premises to logical
consequences which are from cause and result of thinking which is inference
‘knowledge base on thinking (Cintā-mayā-paññā) and considered as mundane
wisdom (3) knowledge exists by thinking, an experiment or interrogation and
metal development which is called ‘Intuition-Inner-wisdom’ or “knowledge
base on thinking (Bhāvanā-mayā- paññā). It is considered as supramundane
wisdom called enlightening knowledge. For result of knowledge (paññā)
external knowledge can knows everything outside, internal knowledge can
know everything inside and enlightening knowledge can know everything
clearly both outside and inside and awaken of those thing.
The Source of Knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy: The
source of knowledge in concept of Buddhism refers to the three sources: 1)
suta maya paññā: wisdom based on listening or learning, 2) cintā maya
paññā: wisdom based on thinking, and 3) bhāvanā maya paññā wisdom based
on mental development.
The SMP consists of learning which has been gained by listening or
learning to others. This may inspire one to tread on the path of Dhamma, but
in itself cannot lead to the attainment of liberation. On the other hand, the one
who has a lot of listening experience, learning experiences, very
knowledgeable experience, studied a lot he is called. "The Heart of the
scholar" Bahusutta.
CMP is the wisdom obtained from one's own thinking, not just from
hearing others. It is the understanding of impermanence, suffering and non-
sefl, from what one has grasped by the means of one's own intellect. The one
who becomes wise man can explain and help others to realize the fact of three
characteristic.
BMP is the wisdom obtained by meditation the wisdom that comes
from the direct experience of the truth. This insight is the direct
comprehension of the reality of three characteristic. Paññā comprises a very
wide field. The specific Buddhist knowledge or wisdom, however, as part of
the Noble Eightfold Path (magga) to deliverance, is insight (vipassanā), with
regard to the condition of its arising kinds of knowledge, it based on thinking
(CMP), knowledge based on learning (SMP), knowledge based on mental
development (BMP).
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The sources makes paññā, but each source makes a different wisdom
and it leads to the highest goal of Buddhism, release from suffering, Nibbāna.
Although the source knowledge in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy
concluded into three sources but it accepts all of sources of knowledge of
schools in which Buddhism except. The source of knowledge (paññā): SMP is
wisdom obtained from listening to others, from being instructed by others
about impermanence, suffering and non-self. It develops from reading sacred
texts to develop as the wise man but it should depend on the good friends. This
type of knowledge (paññā) is clearly based on an external source and consists
of learning which has been gained by listening or learning to others. This may
inspire one to tread on the path of Dhamma, but in itself cannot lead to the
attainment of liberation, release from suffering, Nibbāna.
Thus source of knowledge in Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy was 1)
the knowledge based on listening or learning or Suta-mayā-paññā is the
wisdom obtained from listening to others, from being instructed by others
(paratoghosa) or experiences tough and so on which exists across the six-
sense-basses. It is perfection knowledge and may inspire one to tread on the
path of Dhamma but in itself cannot lead to the attainment of liberation. 2)
The knowledge based on thinking or Cintā maya paññā is the wisdom
obtained from one's own thinking which understanding of impermanence,
suffering non-self from what one has grasped by the means of one's own
intellect which depend on thinking with cause and result and 3) the knowledge
based on mental develop or Bhāvanā mayā paññā is the wisdom obtained by
meditation which comes from the direct experience of the truth and makes
right effort and so realizes for everything in the world and the direct
comprehension of the reality of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha)
and non-sent (anatta).
Some practical guidelines based on source of knowledge in
Theravāda Buddhist Philosophy: The source of the three types of
knowledge as flowing:
SMP is wisdom obtained from listening to others, from being
instructed by others about impermanence, suffering and non-self. It develops
from reading sacred texts. This type of paññā is clearly based on an external
source. The SMP consists of learning which has been gained by listening or
learning to others. This may inspire one to tread on the path of Dhamma, but
in itself cannot lead to the attainment of liberation.
- Listening by delivering knowledge refers to the sound that we hear
such as speaking, explaining, preaching or any kind of speaking as giving a
sermon or teaching to developing wisdom. For listening from preacher and
practice Buddha’s teachings can make release suffering and reach Nibbāna
that why it make the preacher to get many merit or extremely result. Lead to
know doing, making merit that is wholesome for happiness in this and next
life like they said the preaching, teaching and giving Dhamma make many
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extremely merit and it is also giving of wisdom to the others. Otherwise,

listening well with respect will get wisdom.
- Listening by Six-sense-bases: basics of sound, the ear, and hearing
are related to each other and basic information which one knows about the
sense bases as part of the "soil" of liberating wisdom that is the roots of
wisdom. Ear, listening and sound are one of sense bases The arising of these
three elements (dhātu)–ear, sound and ear-related consciousness–lead to what
is known as "contact" (phassa) which in turn causes a pleasant or unpleasant
or neutral "feeling" or "sensation" (vedanā) to arise. The process of create the
wisdom by the depended system of six internal-external pairs of sense bases
called sutta-mayā-paññā. (សម្តេ ចម្ោធិញា ណ ជួ ន ណាត, ព.ស.២៥១២, គ.ស.
១៩ ៦៨,) The knowledge by sound or by listen that related to internal-external
pairs of sense of sense bases. This is the arising of these three elements that
lead to what is known as "contact" which in turn causes a pleasant or
unpleasant or neutral "feeling" or "sensation" to arise. Thus ear, listening and
sound is related to consciousness and can create wisdom by depended system
of six internal-external pairs of sense-bases with reasoned attention (yoniso
manasikara).
CMP is the wisdom obtained from one's own thinking, not just from
hearing others. It is the understanding of impermanence, suffering and non-
sefl, from what one has grasped by the means of one's own intellect. The one
who becomes wise man can explain and help others to realize the fact of three
characteristics.
-Thinking as present: Thinking knows kinds of feeling (vedanā).
Thinking differs and accompanied by a pleasant feeling (sukha vedanā) is
known as pleasant thinking, by an unpleasant feeling (dukkhā vedanā) as
unpleasant citta and by a neutral feeling (upekkhā vedanā) as indifferent citta.
We get two kinds of indifferent feeling from thinking:(1) heartless
indifference, a total disregard for one’s own and other’s well-being, while the
other, equanimity, an attitude of mental calmness amidst the vicissitudes of
life and (2) The former as rooted in unwholesome roots should be abandoned,
whereas the latter as born of wisdom should be cultivated.
-Thinking in positive ways: thinking is the position of citta which
means to mind, thought, heart, conception, consciousness, mood, emotion,
spirit, idea and attitude. The both “mind” and “thought.” Its duty is defined in
three ways: (1) Thinking as an agent, it cognizes an object, whether internal
or external. (2) Thinking as an instrument, it refers the accompanying
cetasika, mental factors cognize the object and (3) Thinking as an activity, it is
the process of cognizing the object. Thinking is non-material lying in the cave
of heart. Thinking is the seat and organ or center or focus of human being’s
thought. The result of is both bad and good depend on the moments of
thinking. Because thinking is of twofold, negative and positive. The thinking
is forerunner, chief and mind-made but if it is in negative way, the result as
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this example: all mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have
mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with an evil
mind, ‘dukkha’ follows him just as the wheel follows the hoof print of the ox
that draws the cart. This is the logic result of our thinking. Wisdom cultivates
from must be the thinking in good or positives ways as in the three of
eightfold path: Right understanding (Samma ditthi), Right thought (Samma
sankappa) and Right mindfulness (Samma sati), therefore if it must result as
wisdom. (Russell, 1976)
-Thinking as three characteristics: all minds are also classified in
association with roots (hetu and mūla) which rooted and rootless states of
mind respectively. There are six roots, ethically, three wholesome (kusala) and
the other three unwholesome (akusala). The former three manifests negative
aspects of mentation, while the latter three manifesting as generosity and
renunciation, loving kindness and wisdom or understanding, respectively.
Cinta-maya paññā is the wisdom obtained from one's own thinking, not just
from hearing others which understand impermanence, suffering and non-self.
(Rahula, 2005)
-Control of the mind: the nature of mind is the state of thinking of
everything (McHugh, 2008) more and more. If mind is out of control, it cannot
be quiet and meditated. To develop knowledge and wisdom one have to
control of mind well and tries to control it so he can make mind calm and
quiet its therefore it can develop mental activity as result the wisdom.
-Evolution of the mind: consciousness is one; it is not divisible.
Minds are many because societies are many; cultures, religions are many. The
effort to move into meditation is a struggle against the mind. Mind is never
meditative, it is never silent, so to say 'a silent mind' is meaningless, absurd.
To refine knowledge should follow two important ways:
The sources of knowledge accept the various kinds of knowledge and
are conclusion in three important points:
a) The Sound from outside (Paratoghosa) sound from other or
outside and refers learning from outer factor cause as parents, family, school,
society and environment. It is the knowledge which is depended on the others.

b) Reasoned Attention (Yonisomanasikāra) is reasoned attention;

systematic attention; analytical thinking; critical reflection; thinking in terms of
specific conditionality; thinking by way of causal relations or by way of
problem-solving. This is also the internal factor; personal factor and as well as a
factor belonging to the category of insight or wisdom.
c) Kalama Sutta is the law of beliefs and considered as critical
thinking in Buddhism which lead us not to believe anything before own
consideration and knowledge, whenever we ourselves know: ‘These things are
good; these things are not blamable; these things are praised by the wise;
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undertaken and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness’, enter on
and abide in them.
When we ourselves consider and know ‘These things are not good;
these things are blamable; these things are not praised by the wise; undertaken
and observed, these things lead to no benefit and happiness’, not enter on and
abide in them. When we use way of suta maya paññā with reasoned attention
(yonisomanasikāra) and Kalama sutta, we still get the new knowledge from
those courses. Therefore whatever there are true or fake, good or bad courses
when still get the knowledge if we use the way of suta maya paññā with
reasoned attention (yonisomanasikāra) and Kalama sutta.
Result of knowledge (Paññā)
Paññā is knowledge; understanding, wisdom, insight knowledge,
understanding, insight, or cognitive acuity which is three fold training or three
divisions of the Noble Eightfold Path. It is understood to exist in the universal
flux of human being and can be intuitively experienced through practicing
meditation. It is the most important in Buddhist practice for achieving the
ultimate truth that is Nibbāna.
Result of Suta-mayā-paññā (SMP): The wisdom based on listening or
learning (SMP). This type of pannā is clearly dependent on an external source
which has been gained by listening to others who are the kind of good friends
(Kalayānamittatā). Such wisdom is inferred knowledge and may inspire one
to tread on the path of Dhamma, but in itself cannot lead to the attainment of
liberation (ណាត, ព.ស. ២៥១២, គ.ស. ១៩៦៨, ). Learn or listening here refers
to the listening and learning from the others who speak and teach leading in
the good way. It has a duty to get hear and to learn by reasoned attention
(yoniso manasikara) and kinds of those but it depend on the consideration of
mind that what is good and bad. In Theravāda Buddhism states clearly about
how to listen to get merit and wisdom depend on listening and learning.
Thus ear, listening and sound is related to each other and basic
information about sound and about how the human auditory system performs
the process called hearing and they are the process of create the wisdom by the
depended system of six internal-external pairs of sense bases called sutta-
mayā-paññā (ណាត, ព.ស. ២៥១២, គ.ស. ១៩៦៨, ) . Sounded Consciousness is
knowledge by sound or by listen that related to internal-external pairs of sense
of sense bases. This is the arising of these three elements that lead to what is
known as "contact" which in turn causes a pleasant or unpleasant or neutral
"feeling" or "sensation" to arise. Thus ear, listening and sound is related to
consciousness and can create the wisdom by the depended system of six
internal-external pairs of sense bases with yoniso manasikara.
Result of Cintā mayā paññā (CMP): Wisdom obtained from listening
to others, from being instructed by others about impermanence, suffering and
essencelessness. This type of paññā is clearly dependent on an external source.
Cintā maya paññā: wisdom based on thinking, it is the wisdom obtained from
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one's own thinking, not just from hearing others which understanding of
impermanence, suffering non-self, from what one has grasped by the means of
one's own intellect. One may even be able to help others realize the fact of
anicca, dukkha and anattā, but still one cannot obtain liberation for oneself.
On the contrary, there is a danger that one may accumulate more mental
defilements by developing ego since one lacks the direct experience of
wisdom (Sayadaw, 2008).
Minded consciousness is a subject that has become quite important in
the process of thinking. When they are just listening—pure consciousness they
start thinking. When one is unconscious he doesn’t feel and he doesn’t think.
Consciousness, then, is like field that allows thought, memory, emotion and
feeling to appear and disappear. Thus consciousness is just awareness, this
entrance into noting present and at moment consciousness is like this.
Result of Bhāvanā maya paññā: BMP is the wisdom obtained by
meditation which is wisdom comes from the direct experience of the truth by
making right effort to realize everything in the world which is, rather, the
direct comprehension of the reality of anicca, dukkha and anatta (ព្ព ះអ រហ នេ
ឧ ប តិ ស សៈ, ព .ស . ២ ៥ ៥ ៥ ) This insight is not the mere acceptance of what
someone else has said, nor the product of deductive reasoning.
Mental development is the mental processes involved in solving
problems, formulating judgments, making decisions, and planning of the
"thinking" such as reasoning is involved in the evaluation of the environment,
deciding what threats or opportunities exist, and preparing a course of action.
The characteristic of Meditation practices is the metal development:
Meditation relates to productivity, and reduces meditation to its most basic
elements making more productive. Meditation has great calming effects which
make it much easier to focus and achieve flow, that feeling of being
completely immersed and energized by something. It helps mind
defragment thoughts so one can make better sense of them, For chanting and
praying to homage is also mean to mental develop as well. Because chanting
and praying in the same time can make calm, quit and silent to and meditated
mind, therefore mind arrive Samathi. This is the kind mental development.
They have been given to people by others: parents, society and
university. They have been given to them. Throw them away. Remain with the
simple consciousness that they are pure consciousness, innocent. This is how
one moves from the mind to meditation. This is how one moves away from
society, from the without to the within. This is how one moves from the man-
made world, the māyā, to the universal truth.
Result of Knowledge based on three Sources:
Change from bad to good person: the sources cultivate wisdom for
the benefit of human being. The wisdom focuses on mental developed that we
call wisdom leads to the top goal of Buddhist practice in order to release the
suffering and reach Nibbāna. Paññā is derived from three sources, to seeing
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things as they are, not as they appear to be. That is, understanding the true
nature of Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering) and Anattā (non-self) in
all things. This realization leads to the ultimate truth of Nibbāna.
To lessen three sources of evil greed, hatred and delusion of Suffering:
Nibbana, freedom, deliverances peace for all.
The one who is a bad person, did not know what was wrong or right
and associate with the bad company, then led him to kill the other. After he
met and listened to Buddha he understands what was wrong or right. This is
the knowledge base on SMP. Before meet good friend (Kalayānamittatā)
One + listen +paying attention+ from Buddha (good friend) =
knowledge does good Way of SMP
Sense-bases+subjects+yonisomanasikāra+paratoghosa
(Kalayānamittatā)=paññā+ Kalayānakamma
Change from Normal Person to Noble person: the one who try to do
metal development then eventually succeed in purging the mind of all greed,
hatred and delusion and realised for ownself the Buddhist goal of
Enlightenment. This is knowledge of metal development lead to get
enlightenment which are kinds of knowledge base on mental developments
(BMP).
Convert to be Noble Person: the process of three source of
knowledge can change from bad person to good person and then to be a noble
person to get a stage of enlightenment at the age of seven by Buddha’s
teaching. Read the short story as following
Thus According to the above -describing, the process of knowledge
base on three source can change from bad person to good person and then to
be a noble person. By using way of suta maya paññā with reasoned attention
(yonisomanasikāra) and Kalama sutta, it should be understood that ‘it is the
knowledge (paññā) base on listening which covert her from normal persomto
the Noble person (ariya-puggala).Therefore knowledge (paññā) base on three
sources—listen or learn, thinking and metal develop not only bring the benefit
of human being but also real happiness and liberation and leads to the higher
goal of Buddhist practice, the ultimate truth of Nibbāna.
From the research study on the topic “Source of Knowledge in
Theravada Buddhist Philosophy, the researcher foul that the new knowledge
should be the sources of learning, practice in daily life to solve the problem of
living, covert to the wise man to live happy in present, next life and finally
reach the higher goal of human being. It is also the practical and alive ways of
knowledge which should applied for using to change to be correct goal of life:
Change bad action to good action
Change wrong doing to right doing
Change bad man to wise man
Change ignorance to knowledge
Change suffering to happy
 วารสารบัณฑิตศึกษามหาจุฬาขอนแก่น 501
ปีที่ 6 ฉบับที่ 4 ประจาเดือนตุลาคม – ธันวาคม 2562

Change the normal person to Noble person.

This is result of knowledge base on three sources—listening, thinking
and metal develop. On the other hand the concept of west philosophy, the
knowledge is divided into three level-perception, inference, and intuition and
it can be compared with the three sources of knowledge in Theravada
Buddhist Philosophy which are the difference of both meaning of level of
knowledge are the three level of Knowledge in the west argue and reject to
each other but the three source of knowledge in Theravada Buddhist
Philosophy is although in the level but they does not reject and argue each
other furthermore it the support to step by step such as ‘Suta-mayā-paññā’
knowledge base on listening, then it have the knowledge and experiences after
take to think, Cintā-mayā-paññā’ and do metal development by thinking
‘Bhāvanā-mayā’.
Thus the sources cultivate wisdom for the benefit of human being. The
wisdom focuses on mental developed that we call wisdom leads to the top goal
of Buddhist practice in order to release the suffering and reach Nibbāna. Paññā
is derived from three sources, to seeing things as they are, not as they appear
to be. That is, understanding the true nature of Anicca (impermanence),
Dukkha (suffering) and Anattā (non-self) in all things. This realization leads to
the ultimate truth of Nibbāna. To lessen three sources of evil greed, hatred and
delusion of Suffering: Nibbana, freedom, deliverances peace for all. The
sources of wisdom are based on thinking (CMP), knowledge based on learning
(SMP), knowledge based on mental development (BMP). Wisdom is one of
the mental faculties, one of the three kinds of training and one of the
perfections. The factors of wise man in Dhamma refers to the sources of
Paññā in Theravāda Buddhism in the concepts of Theravada Buddhist
Philosophy because three courses cause wisdom for making a man as scholar
or wise man and he will be Aranhant who can release from suffering.

Suggestion
From study of friends association in the Singala Sutta, researchers has
suggested issues in two main areas as following:
5.1 Academic and suggestions
1) Both public and private educational institutions, students
should be encouraged in all levels to realize the importance of friends
association.
2) The monks should propagate the principles of Buddhist
Friendship to understand and apply to life.
5.2 Research and recommendations
1) It should be studied to analyze the blame of the friends
association that appears in the Singala Sutta.
 502 Journal of Graduate MCU KhonKaen Campus
Vol. 6 No. 4 October - December 2019

2) study the benefits and value of social communication in the

society.

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