Analytical study of contemplation of death in Buddhism

Abstract

This academic article has two objectives: 1) to study contemplation of death in the Tripitaka and 2) to study and analyze the principles of contemplation of death in Buddhism using a documentary research method. The research results found that: contemplation of death means remembering the death that will come to oneself. In the view of Thai scholars, it means remembering the death that has ended a person's life by remembering that death as an object of meditation. There are two types of death that are used as objects in practicing contemplation of death: 1) death according to age and 2) death due to various accidents. The method of practicing contemplation of death involves setting mindfulness of death, considering the causes of death, and remembering death to gain wisdom. The purpose of practicing contemplation of death is to practice with faith, diligence, patience, and wisdom. Each type of mindfulness of death is related to different temperaments of each person. The benefits of contemplation of death are that the mind can quickly attain concentration, be aware of changes in the body, realize the principles of truth in life, know how to prepare before death, and apply contemplation of death in daily life, such as a mindfulness of the mind not to be careless, a method to suppress defilements, and a guideline for developing mindfulness. An approach to elevate the mind into the practice of Vipassana