SWA+BHAAWA (NATURE): DEFINITION AND UNDERSTANDING

Abstract

The amazing creation of nature is the result of millions of years of continuous existence. It tells a triumphant story about the adaptation of endangered species to a variety of environmental factors. Behind the natural phenomena that include all species such as animals, plants and planets is a dynamic invisible scene. This study explored the doctrine that underlies the active concept of nature. The need to understand what nature is in the long journey of discovering the definition of the concept of sustainability was the main motivation for this study. The objectives of the study were to 1. understand the concept of ‘swabhaawa dharma’ or ‘swabhawa’ (nature) through pada vibhaṁgakaraṇaya’ (word dissociation) method; 2. understand the concept of nature through synonyms; 3. understand the concept of of nature through dictionary definitions; 4. understand the concept of nature through experts' opinions; 5. understand the concept of nature through the ‘nirukthi’ method; 6. understand the concept of nature through findings by scholars and 7. understand the concept of nature by identifying the elements of nature. The study used a descriptive analysis methodology and a ‘sakaaya pada nirukthi’ method for data analysis. As the study data were available in the native language, that is, in Sinhala, the ‘sakaaya pada nirukthi’ method was used as the most appropriate methodology. Given this study’s nature, a novel technique called ‘vida darshanaya’ was successfully used to implement this study’s objectives. Finally, the study found that the concept of nature is mechanized on six components.