Analysis of the Worlds of the Guardian Spirit (Phraphumi Jaotee) in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy

Abstract

The objectives of this research were as follows: 1. to study the world (Bhava (existence)) in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, 2. to study the guardian spirits (Phraphumi Jaotee) in Theravada Buddhist philosophy, and 3. to analyze of the world (Bhava (existence)) of the guardian spirits (Phraphumi Jaotee) in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. This research was qualitative research and collected data from the Tipitaka scriptures, academic documents, and related research papers. Then used to categorize and analyze the data to be consistent in a systematic way and then presented the descriptive data for an analysis

The results of the research were as follows: The Worlds (Bhava (existence)) in Theravada Buddhist philosophy consists of: 1. Kama-bhava (the Sense-Sphere) – Apaya (states of loss and woe), Manussa (the world of man), Deva (the heavenly world), 2. Rupa-bhava (the Form-Sphere) – 16 levels of Brahma-loka (the Brahma world) and 3. Arupa-bhava (the Formless Sphere) – 4 levels of bhava are divided into wholesome action and unwholesome action. Apayabhumi consists of worst suffering with the cycle of birth and death. This is classified as Sammaditthi – an important belief leading to do good deeds and refrained from doing evil deeds; the cause of lust and karma. Death is therefore merely passage for all beings passing through this world and the other.

The guardian spirits (Phraphumi Jaotee)  in Theravada Buddhist philosophy include the Catummaharajika (the realm of the Four Great Kings). The remembrance of the guardian spirits with the principle of Anussati 6 (recollection) is called Devatanussati (recollection of deities) as a model for living including an offering to the deities. After people worship and pay homage to the deity, in return, the deity will look after them.

Analysis of the World of the Guardian Spirit (Phraphumi Jaotee) in Theravada Buddhist Philosophy found that the worlds are the place of birth and abode in abstract form at the mental and concrete level as well. As for the guardian spirit in the form of gods in the Jatu Maha Rashika level, such as Gandharvas, Kumphanda, Naga, and Yaksha. Making merit with the hope of allurement is a wrong belief in the aspect of merit and making a small number of good deeds. Therefore, birth has different characteristics. This belief leads to traditions, arts, architecture, and painting in churches, pavilion, palaces, etc.