What is Abhidhamma? Origin, Contents and Key Concepts

The Abhidharma is a sublime Buddhist scripture and very difficult to understand, but this is the key to understanding the Tripitaka. It gives profound insights into the mind and its objects. If you do not clearly understand the Abhidharma, it will be difficult for you to thoroughly understand the Buddha’s teachings, which are very precious, precious in every sentence and every word.

What is Abhidhamma Pitaka?

The Abhidharma Pitaka is one of the outstanding scriptures in the Tripitaka and is revered for its complex and profound teachings. While the Sutta and Vinaya Pitaka offer foundational teachings and monastic rules respectively, the Abhidharma Pitaka enters the realm of abstract and philosophical discourse. It presents the Buddha’s teachings in a subtle and sublime way.

The term “Abhidhamma” itself symbolizes its essence—‘Abhi’ denotes subtlety and profundity, and ‘Dharma’ symbolizes the teachings of the Buddha. This combination presents us with a text that delves into the metaphysical aspects of reality, dissecting and classifying phenomena in a way that the other two Canons cannot compare.

Unlike the narrative and prescriptive style of the Sutras and Vinaya, the Abhidharma Pitaka uses a technical vocabulary and a methodical approach to explain the ultimate truths (Paramattha Dharma). Because it is believed to be Buddha’s teachings to the Devas, what is written in the Abhidhamma goes beyond conventional teachings, focusing instead on a rigorous analysis of mental and physical phenomena, breaking their synthetic nature to reveal their intrinsic properties.

The content of Abhidhamma is divided into four parts: Dhamma, Attha, Nirutti, and Patibhana. Each section aims to clarify obscure teachings:

1. Dhamma analysis clarifies individual phenomena.
2. Attha provides their meanings.
3. Nirutti ensures linguistic accuracy.
4. Patibhana offers persuasive exposition.

This meticulous presentation ensures that practitioners and scholars can learn the profound depths of Buddhist teachings without confusion and doubt.

Furthermore, the Abhidharma is not just theoretical knowledge but also a means of deep contemplation and insight, designed to cultivate advanced cognitive and spiritual abilities. Its unique approach to classifying and analyzing reality aims to promote transformative understanding, guiding one toward the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

The Origin of Abhidhamma

According to Buddhist beliefs, the Abhidharma was not directly taught by the Buddha in his usual teachings to people. Instead, it is believed that these teachings were taught by Buddha to the Devas in the Tavatimsa heaven for 3 months.

Later, Buddha is said to have summarized these wonderful teachings to his chief disciple Sariputta. With Buddha’s consent, Sariputta edited and expanded these teachings into seven books of the Abhidharma Pitaka.

However, from a historical perspective, the Abhidhamma was probably compiled gradually over many years after the Buddha’s death (Parinibbana). According to tradition, the first five books of the Abhidharma Pitaka are attributed to Sariputta, and the last two books were written by Ananda and Moggallana, who were also close disciples of the Buddha.

Modern scholars believe that the Abhidharma emerged as the early Buddhist community’s answer to the need for deeper philosophical and psychological discussion. While the Sutras (Buddha’s teachings) cater to a wide audience, the Abhidharma is for those who want to deepen their wisdom and understanding of the Dharma.

It is believed that the Abhidharma was last formulated during the Third Buddhist Council, about 250 years after the Buddha’s death. This council, during the time of Emperor Ashoka, witnessed the affirmation and recitation of the Abhidharma literature. These teachings were preserved orally by monks and were later written down in Sri Lanka around the first century BC as part of the Pali Canon.

So, while the exact origin of the Abhidharma mixes historical events with traditional beliefs, its profound psychological and philosophical teachings have greatly influenced Buddhist and continuing thought. continues to guide those seeking spiritual liberation.

Contents of the Abhidhamma Pitaka

The Abhidhamma Pitaka comprises seven distinctive treatises, each contributing to an intricate mosaic of philosophical inquiry and doctrinal elaboration. These texts are not mere academic discourses; they serve as conduits to profound understanding and spiritual development, painting a picture of existence that invites contemplation and insight.

1. Dhammasangani: The “Enumeration of Phenomena” serves as a formidable opener, providing a meticulous categorization of mental and physical phenomena. It establishes a foundational framework, classifying states of consciousness and their respective factors, mapping out the intricate landscapes of experience with precision and clarity.
2. Vibhanga: The “Book of Analysis” delves deeper, offering a thematic exploration of various doctrines. It dissects concepts and categories introduced in the Dhammasangani, employing a methodical approach to elucidate the interplay of mental and material processes, thereby offering a granular view of the teachings.
3. Dhātukathā: This “Discussion of Elements” bridges theory with application, examining the interrelations among the elements (dhātus), bases (āyatanas), and truths (saccas). Its analytical lens zooms in on the elemental constituents of existence, fostering a nuanced understanding of their dynamic interactions.
4. Puggalapaññatti: The “Description of Individuals” shifts focus to the personal, categorizing individuals based on their spiritual faculties and attainments. This text underscores the variability of human experience and potential, offering a nuanced perspective on spiritual development.
5. Kathāvatthu: The “Points of Controversy” engages in spirited dialogues, addressing various doctrinal disputes that arose within the early Buddhist community. This text is a testament to the dynamic nature of Buddhist thought, illustrating the tradition’s capacity for self-examination and doctrinal refinement.
6. Yamaka: The “Book of Pairs” employs a unique methodological approach, presenting doctrinal statements in pairs to elucidate their meaning and application. This text fosters critical engagement, encouraging readers to discern nuances and deepen their comprehension through comparative analysis.
7. Patthāna: The “Book of Causal Relations” crowns the collection with its profound exploration of conditional relations, the cornerstone of Buddhist ontology. This voluminous work provides an exhaustive examination of conditionalities (paccaya) that underpin the fabric of existence, offering insights into the interconnectedness of all phenomena.

Delving into the Abhidhamma Pitaka, you find yourself journeying through the very fabric of existence, exploring what constitutes the inner and outer realms of your being and the universe at large. Mrs. Rhys Davids, an esteemed English scholar, encapsulates this exploration succinctly: the Abhidhamma speaks of what lies within, beyond, and all around us.

What lies within you? The five aggregates: form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness converge to craft the mosaic of your identity, your existence. The Abhidhamma dissects these components with a fine-tooth comb, presenting a dual analysis that straddles both psychological and physical dimensions, providing a comprehensive portrayal of human and sentient beings.

And what about beyond and around you? Beyond elucidating the essence and true characteristics of your inner self, the Abhidhamma extends its gaze to the external, to the rise and fall of phenomena that constitute the external world, and ultimately to the transcendence of the worldly state—Nibbāna.

Through Mrs. David’s insights, you grasp that the Abhidhamma delineates the true nature, the ultimate realities of both the inner and outer selves. It delves into the states, life cycles, and actions of various phenomena in astonishing detail, mapping the existential and the ephemeral with equal finesse.

Shifting the lens slightly, you might ponder, what is the Abhidhamma aiming to illuminate through these detailed expositions? Ven. Santakicco, a revered Abhidhamma scholar, points to the heart of the matter: the Abhidhamma articulates the impermanent, the unsatisfactory, the non-self, and that which transcends these three marks of existence.

This profound encapsulation touches the essence of the Abhidhamma’s content: a deep, condensed exploration of the nature of reality.

In the realm of the Abhidhamma, critical discussions center on the mind (the cognitive aspect of beings), mental factors (elements that accompany the mind), material phenomena (the physical aspect), and Nibbāna (the ultimate peace beyond all conditioned existence).

Discussing the mind and its concomitants, the Abhidhamma illuminates the Conditions or Factors (Paccayo) that give rise to the mind’s existence and its decay, detailing the continuum of mental processes (Cittavithā).

Similarly, in addressing material phenomena, it elucidates the nature of matter, the conditions that aid and maintain it, and the process of its arising and dissolution within the material continuum.

Finally, after expounding on conditioned phenomena, the Abhidhamma unveils Nibbāna—a state unconditioned, untouched by impermanence, suffering, and the illusion of self.

The Key concepts in Abhidhamma

The Abhidhamma embodies a vast number of concepts, forming an intricate framework that serves to clarify and systematize the teachings of the Buddha.  Below are some of the key concepts in the Abhidhamma:

1. Dhammas: These are the basic building blocks of reality in the Abhidhamma. They’re divided into four groups: the mind (citta), mind-related qualities (cetasika), physical things (rupa), and the unconditioned (Nibbana).
2. Citta (Consciousness): Citta in the Abhidhamma is like snapshots of awareness, each fleeting and separate from the next. It’s not one continuous flow but a series of brief moments of consciousness.
3. Cetasika (Mental Factors): These are elements tied to the mind that shape how we act. They pop up and disappear alongside consciousness. Some examples are feelings (vedana), thoughts (sanna), intentions (cetana), focus (samadhi), and insight (panna).
4. Rupa (Matter): This concept breaks down physical things to their tiniest parts. It includes the basic elements like earth, water, fire, air, and more specific ones like color, smell, taste, and nourishment.
5. Nibbana (Nirvana): This is the ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the end of all suffering. It’s unique because, unlike other Dhammas, Nibbana doesn’t come and go. It’s about achieving a state free from suffering.
6. Paticcasamuppada (Dependent Origination): This explains the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It’s a chain of twelve interconnected causes and effects that keep suffering going.
7. Kamma (Karma): In the Abhidhamma, kamma is the idea that our actions (through body, speech, and mind) create future consequences, good or bad, depending on our intentions.
8. Vipaka (Resultant): Vipaka refers to the outcomes of our past actions, whether they’re good (kusala) or bad (akusala).
9. Hetu-Paccaya (Root Conditionality): This concept talks about six ‘roots’ – three good (non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion) and three bad (greed, hatred, delusion) – that influence our thoughts and actions.
10. Jhana (Absorption): Jhana is a deep state of meditation where the mind is intensely focused and calm, fully absorbed in the meditation object.

These are just a few of the fundamental concepts contained in the Abhidhamma. The Abhidhamma serves to provide a complex and detailed system of analysis, geared towards a thorough understanding of human experience as delineated in the teachings of the Buddha. LotusBuddhas would like to advise you that, if you go deeper into the Buddhist teachings, you must study the Abhidhamma, but first, you must understand the above concepts.

What does Abhidhamma talk about?

The Abhidhamma focuses on the deconstruction and analysis of the mind and matter, the causal relationships that underpin them, and the ultimate aim of liberation from suffering.

1. Analysis of reality: One of the primary subjects of the Abhidhamma is the thorough analysis of reality. It dissects complex phenomena into their most fundamental elements, known as Dhammas. Dhammas are categorised into four types: consciousness (citta), mental factors (cetasika), matter (rupa), and the unconditioned element (Nibbana).
2. Psychological investigation: The Abhidhamma delves deep into the workings of the mind. It classifies and describes types of consciousness and their associated mental factors, offering a comprehensive map of the human psyche.  It explores cognitive processes, differentiates wholesome from unwholesome mental states, and elucidates the process of perception and response.
3. Moral philosophy: It examines moral and ethical aspects of existence, explicating the law of karma and its results (Vipaka). It highlights the ethical consequences of volitional actions, thereby emphasizing the importance of morality in the path to liberation.
4. Conditional relations: The Abhidhamma extensively discusses the principle of conditionality or Dependent Origination (Paticcasamuppada). It presents a comprehensive system of twenty-four types of conditionality that define the relationships among phenomena.
5. Path to liberation: The ultimate aim of the Abhidhamma is to guide practitioners on the path to liberation from suffering. By understanding the nature of reality and the intricate workings of the mind, a practitioner can develop insight, eliminate ignorance, and eventually attain Nibbana, the cessation of suffering.
6. Conceptual and ultimate realities: The Abhidhamma differentiates between conceptual reality (Pannatti) and ultimate reality (Paramattha). The former pertains to concepts, ideas, or names that humans use to perceive reality, while the latter pertains to the fundamental elements of existence (Dhammas) as they truly are.

As you can see, Abhidhamma presents a detailed philosophical and psychological analysis of existence from the Buddhist perspective. It decodes the complex nature of mind and matter, the ethical dimensions of actions, and the conditional interrelationships of phenomena. The primary objective is to guide practitioners towards a deep, transformative understanding of reality that leads to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of Nibbana.

How to Study Abhidhamma

Studying the Abhidhamma, a sophisticated component of the Theravada Buddhist canon, requires a dedicated approach, given its complex and detailed exploration of reality. LotusBuddhas would like to share some suggested steps for you to study the Abhidhamma effectively:

1. Foundational understanding: Start by gaining a solid grounding in the basic teachings of Buddhism as presented in the Suttas. Understanding concepts such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the three characteristics of existence (impermanence, suffering, and non-self), and Dependent Origination will provide an essential foundation for studying the Abhidhamma.
2. Select suitable texts: Choose an introductory text that provides a clear overview of the Abhidhamma. Books such as “A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma” by Bhikkhu Bodhi and “Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time” by Nyanaponika Thera offer accessible introductions to the subject.
3. Structured learning: Engage in a systematic study of the Abhidhamma, approaching it one concept at a time. Be patient and consistent, recognizing that understanding may come gradually.
4. Guidance and discussion: If possible, study under the guidance of a knowledgeable teacher or join a study group. Discussing and clarifying doubts can facilitate deeper understanding. Online resources and forums can also provide opportunities for discussion and clarification.
5. Contemplative reflection: Reflect on what you have learned, contemplating how the Abhidhamma’s analysis of reality corresponds with your own experiences. This process of reflection can lead to insightful understandings.
6. Meditative practice: Incorporate your Abhidhamma studies into your meditative practice. This integration can illuminate the experiential truths underlying the theoretical analysis of the Abhidhamma.
7. Advanced study: As you progress, you may wish to explore the original seven books of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, either in translation or in the original Pali if you are proficient in it.
8. Continuous learning: The study of Abhidhamma is an ongoing journey. Maintain an open mind and a willingness to continually learn and deepen your understanding.

Remember,  the ultimate purpose of studying the Abhidhamma is not just intellectual comprehension but transformation and liberation through profound understanding of reality. Therefore, studying the Abhidhamma should ideally go hand in hand with the practice of Buddhist ethical conduct (Sila), concentration (Samadhi), and wisdom (Panna).

Abhidharma traditions

The Abhidharma (or Abhidhamma in Pali) exists within various schools of Buddhism. The major divisions of the Abhidharma tradition are primarily found within Theravada Buddhism and Sarvastivada Buddhism.

1. Theravada Abhidhamma: The Theravada tradition’s Abhidhamma is preserved in the Pali Canon, composed of seven books. The Theravada Abhidhamma provides a detailed analysis of reality, deconstructing it into its ultimate constituents, the Dhammas. This tradition is prominent in countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The Abhidhamma Pitaka, the third basket of the Tipitaka, forms the foundation of the Theravada Abhidhamma.
2. Sarvastivada Abhidharma: The Sarvastivada school, one of the early Buddhist schools, had a rich Abhidharma tradition, comprising seven books. This tradition developed in parallel but separate from the Theravada tradition. The most well-known Sarvastivada Abhidharma text is the Abhidharmakosha, composed by Vasubandhu in the 4th or 5th century CE. Sarvastivada Abhidharma, distinguished by its assertion of the existence of ‘dharmas’ in all three times (past, present and future), had a profound influence on Mahayana scholasticism.
3. Mahayana Abhidharma: Although the term Abhidharma is not typically used in Mahayana traditions, many of the concepts and frameworks developed in the earlier Abhidharma traditions are crucial to Mahayana thought.  Texts like the Yogacarabhumi of the Yogacara school and the Abhidharmasamuccaya of the Madhyamaka school carry forward the Abhidharma tradition in a Mahayana context. While the Mahayana traditions also reference the Sarvastivada Abhidharma, they frequently critique and reinterpret it.

You have to note that the Abhidharma traditions, while distinct, share a common objective of providing a systematic analysis of the Buddha’s teachings, with the ultimate goal of guiding practitioners on the path to liberation.

Three Baskets of the Pali Canon

The Pali Canon, the main scripture of Theravada Buddhism, is like a library divided into three sections, or “baskets” (Pitakas). Each basket has a unique role, but together, they offer a full picture of Buddhist teachings.

1. Vinaya Pitaka: This part is like the rulebook for Buddhist monks and nuns. It’s packed with guidelines set by Buddha to help them live harmoniously. These rules, known as the Patimokkha, cover everything from daily routines to handling complex situations in the monastic life. The Vinaya Pitaka aims to ensure ethical living (Sila) within the Sangha (the community of monks and nuns). It also provides advice on how monks and nuns should interact with people who aren’t monks or nuns.
2. Sutta Pitaka: Imagine this as a collection of Buddha’s talks and conversations. It’s where you’ll find his teachings on various aspects of life and spirituality. This includes essential concepts like the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and how everything in life is interconnected (Dependent Origination). The Sutta Pitaka is practical and meant for a wide audience, offering guidance on ethical living, mental focus, and gaining wisdom.
3. Abhidhamma Pitaka: This is the deep dive into Buddhist teachings, offering a detailed look at the philosophy and psychology found in the Sutta Pitaka. It breaks down complex ideas into simpler parts, explores how our minds work, and discusses how different aspects of life are related. The Abhidhamma Pitaka is for those who really want to understand the nitty-gritty of reality and consciousness.

Together, these three baskets form a complete guide. The Vinaya Pitaka sets the stage for ethical and communal living, the Sutta Pitaka offers practical teachings for everyday life, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka provides a detailed, analytical view of these teachings. They all work hand in hand to guide followers on the path to spiritual freedom.