Buddhist Approaches to the Development of Well-Being of Life with Special Reference to the Story of Ajātasattu

               This thesis paper has three main objectives: (1). To examine problems and factors causing the unwell-being of life with special reference to the story of Ajātasattu (2). To study the doctrines related to the well-being of life with special reference to the story of Ajātasattu (3). To propose Buddhist approaches to the well-being of life with special reference to the story of Ajātasattu. This paper is documentary research based on Buddhist approaches to the well-being of life.

               The findings of the research illustrate the four wheels of Cakka as the Buddhist well-beings likened to the Mangala sutta, Cakka sutta, and Samññaphala Sutta that carry ways to approach and reference the story of Ajatasattu’s life that are to be practiced and preserved for having a well-being of life now and after. The first Buddhist approach in the Mangala Sutta and Cakka Sutta emphasizes the three blessings and four wheels of Cakka as the way of well-being and the theory of the sutta. Secondly, there are ways the Buddhist approach to well-being focuses on Ajatasattu’s life in the Samññaphapa sutta. A person who wishes to have a well-being and successful life, be it here or after, is advised to abide by the following four wheels: 1) choosing a suitable environment that is conducive to learning and the pursuit of truth, virtue, knowledge, and every meaningful aspect of betterment in life. 2) Associating with good people who are learned and virtuous and who have good intentions to support one’s advancement rightfully. 3) Setting oneself right; establishing oneself resolutely on the right path leading to a clear and virtuous goal 4) Having done meritorious deeds to have a good karmic resource for future innate qualities such as intelligence, disposition, and a healthy body that can help develop oneself in strengthening good qualities and bringing about welfare, happiness, and the realization of well-being.