Essay name: Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
Author:
Le Chanh
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This critical study of Ahara (鈥渇ood鈥�) explores its significance in Buddhism, encompassing both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, highlights how all human problems, including suffering and happiness, are connected to Ahara. Understanding this concept is crucial for comprehending and alleviating suffering, aiming for a balanced, enlightened life.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
13 (of 38)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
13
problems, which can be depicted as three concentric circles, as in the
following diagram:
Food problem
Mental suffering
Life's Problem
鈼� Social problems 鈻�
鈼� Environmental problems 1
Digram 1: Three circles of human problems
The innermost circle represents life's problems due to a wrong
search and consumption of all types of food, the most profound of which
is one of suffering in human mind. Even its crudest form, namely stress,
is quite a pressing problem for the modern man.
From oneself outwards, in a wider circle, are social problems, or
sufferings caused by wrongful relationships, which have resulted in
violence and mutual infliction of harm.
The outermost circle surrounding man and society represents
environmental problems, in particular ecological problems, which are
now posing the most serious threat to the survival of humanity.
As far as environmental problems are concerned, it has been
acknowledged that such problems have stemmed from the misguided
