ABSTRACT

                      This thesis that mainly focused on a Study of Asubhakammaṭṭhāna Observing for Solving the Kāmaraga in Theravāda Buddhism, had the following objectives: 1) to study the definition and the importance of Asubhabhāvaṇā (contemplation on foulness) in Theravāda Buddhism, 2) to study a method of practicing Asubhabhāvaṇā for the solution attachment to sensual pleasures in Theravāda Buddhism, 3) to do an analytical study of the advantages of contemplating on foulness in Theravada Buddhism. This study is conducted based on quantitative research methodology and an analytical approach.       

                      From the results of the study it was that  Asubhabhāvaṇā means contemplation over foulness, corpses at different stages of decay with the intention to realize the impermanence of the things.

                      There are ten kinds of foulness to be contemplated on namely: 1) bloated corpse; swollen-up corpse, 2) bluish discolored  corpse, 3) festering corpse, 4) split or cut up corpse,          5) gnawed corpse, 6) scattered corpse; mangled corpse, 7) hacked and scattered corpse; mutilated and mangled corpse, 8) blood-stained corpse; bleeding corpse, 9) worm-infested corpse, and 10) skeleton. The contemplating of Asubhabhāvaṇā was to reduce an ethical problem of sexual misconduct including adultery. It aimed at realizing the truth of human personality that there were nothing to desire in the human body.

                      The advantages of cultivating Asubhabhāvaṇā are realizing the truth that nothing has permanence, substantiality, and finally failed to decay. There is nothing to be held as mine or ours. Consequently, kāmarāga or desire for sensual pleasure could be eliminated. Then, there would be no ethical problems in the society, and liberation could be as a whole possible goal of the cultivation.