THE CONCEPT OF BUDDHA-NATURE AFTER THE BUDDHA'S PASSING AWAY: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THERAVADA BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

This article is intended to explain the concept of Buddhism after death, the perspective of Theravada Buddhist philosophy on various issues. Which the original idea would have  a soulless state. Because it explains that Buddhahood after death when all Buddhas having passed away with Anupasises Nirvana, there will be emptiness, no state of law remaining. However, this article presents a different approach to explaining 3 issues as follows:- Buddhahood in the context of representatives has adopted the conceptual framework arising from the Buddha's speech in the Maha Parinirvana Sutra, which he said to Ananda that he should take the Dharma and Discipline as his representative at the time of his passing away and speaking to Phra Vakkali Thera to adhere to the Dharma because seeing the Dharma is equal to seeing Buddha. Buddhahood in the context of a symbol use the conceptual framework to create a Buddha statue or a symbolic Buddha image created to represent the Buddha that appears in general. And Buddhahood in the context of Buddhism. It is a remembrance of the grace of the Lord Buddha. Even though His Highness passed away for a long time, His grace still remains, confirming that the Buddhahood after Nirvana has not vanished and still exists in other forms as mentioned above.