Abhidharma

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Vasubandhu

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Abhidharma (Sanskrit: अभिधर्म; Pali: Abhidhamma) refers to a collection of texts which form the third part of the Tripitaka, the canonical scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. The term "Abhidharma" is often translated as "higher teaching" or "special teaching" and represents a detailed scholastic reworking of doctrinal material appearing in the Sutras, according to schematic classifications.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Abhidharma literature is a detailed analysis of the nature of existence, the mind, and the process of cognition. It is considered to be a systematic and comprehensive exposition of the teachings found in the Sutras and is used to provide a deeper understanding of the Dharma.

Historical Development[edit | edit source]

The development of the Abhidharma can be traced back to the early centuries of Buddhism. It is believed to have been composed between the 3rd century BCE and the 3rd century CE. The Abhidharma texts were developed by various Buddhist schools, with the Theravada and Sarvastivada schools being the most prominent.

Contents[edit | edit source]

The Abhidharma is divided into seven books in the Theravada tradition:

Dhammasangani (Enumeration of Phenomena)
Vibhanga (The Book of Analysis)
Dhatukatha (Discussion of Elements)
Puggalapannatti (Description of Individuals)
Kathavatthu (Points of Controversy)
Yamaka (The Book of Pairs)
Patthana (The Book of Relations)

Key Concepts[edit | edit source]

The Abhidharma literature introduces several key concepts that are central to Buddhist philosophy:

Dhamma: Fundamental constituents of reality.
Citta: Mind or consciousness.
Cetasika: Mental factors that accompany consciousness.
Rupa: Physical phenomena.
Nibbana: The ultimate goal of Buddhism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Importance in Buddhism[edit | edit source]

The Abhidharma is highly valued in the Theravada tradition for its detailed and systematic approach to understanding the nature of reality and the workings of the mind. It is used as a basis for meditation practice and for developing insight into the true nature of phenomena.