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About
Abhidhamma
The Abhidhamma is the third section of the Tipiṭaka, the Pāli Canon of Theravāda Buddhism. Unlike the Buddha’s discourses in the Sutta Piṭaka, which are often told through stories, dialogues, and similes, the Abhidhamma takes a more structured and analytical approach. It breaks down experience into fundamental building blocks—called paramattha dhammas or “ultimate realities”—such as mental states, physical processes, and the conditions that shape them.
Theravāda tradition holds that the Buddha taught the Abhidhamma in the heavenly realms, and that it was later passed down to human disciples. Modern scholars, however, generally see it as a later development—an attempt by early Buddhist thinkers to organize and deepen the teachings in a systematic way.
In relation to early Buddhism, the Abhidhamma preserves the ethical and contemplative goals of the path, but shifts the style. It moves away from everyday language and narrative, and into precise definitions and categorizations. For some, this brings powerful clarity; for others, it may feel removed from the more direct, personal tone of the suttas.
Key Points
- One of the three divisions of the Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka), alongside the Vinayapitika and Suttapitika.
- Focuses on breaking experience into ultimate realities (paramattha dhammas).
- Maps out mind and matter through categories like citta (consciousness) and cetasika (mental factors).
- Explores conditionality and causation, especially in the Paṭṭhāna, a key Abhidhamma text.
- Uses technical, highly structured language rather than narrative or dialogue.
- Traditionally said to be taught by the Buddha, but likely compiled later.
- Supports detailed meditation systems and psychological analysis in Theravāda Buddhism.
- Sits alongside, but distinct from, the more poetic and relational style of early suttas.
References
- Bhikkhu Bodhi (ed.). A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma. BPS.
- Nyanaponika Thera. Abhidhamma Studies. BPS.
- Noa Ronkin. Early Buddhist Metaphysics: The Making of a Philosophical Tradition. Routledge.
- Rupert Gethin. The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford University Press.
- Sutta context: DN 15 (Maha-nidāna Sutta), SN 12.2 (Paccaya Sutta) – for foundational teachings on conditionality.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Abhidhamma (Abhidharma) – “Higher Dhamma” or “Special Teaching”; the third division of the Pāli Canon, offering a systematic and analytical presentation of the Buddha’s teachings.
- Tipiṭaka – “Three Baskets”; the canonical scriptures of Theravāda Buddhism, comprising the Vinaya Piṭaka (monastic discipline), Sutta Piṭaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Piṭaka.
- Paramattha Dhamma – “Ultimate reality”; the most basic, irreducible phenomena that make up experience, such as mental and physical events.
- Citta – Consciousness; the momentary awareness that arises in response to an object.
- Cetasika – Mental factors or concomitants; qualities that arise with consciousness, such as intention, feeling, perception, and attention.
- Rūpa – Physical form or matter; includes the body and material phenomena conditioned by the mind or environment.
- Paṭṭhāna – One of the seven books of the Abhidhamma; explores 24 types of conditional relations that govern how phenomena arise together.
- Sutta – A discourse or teaching, usually attributed to the Buddha or his close disciples.
- Vinaya – The body of monastic rules and ethical codes for monks and nuns.
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