ABHIDHAMMA

ABHIDHAMMA
Abhidhamma is in the Buddha’s special or ‘distinguished’ (abhi) teaching (dhamma) handed down in the Abhidhamma Pitika. “Dhammo Atireko Abhidhammo”. So, Abhidhamma is highest Teaching of the Buddha more than other Dhamma. The Abhiddhamma Pitaka is composed of the following work:
1. Dhamma- Sangani (Enumeration of phenomena)
2. Vibhaga- (The Book of the Analysis)
3. Dhatu Katha- (Discourse on Elements)
4. Puggala Pannatti- (Concepts of individuals)
5. Katha Vatthu- (Points of Controversy)
6. Yamaka- (The Book of Pairs)
7. Pathana- (The Book of Conditional Relations).
Pathana comprises five volumes totalling 2500 pages in the Burmese-script Sixth Council edition.
After The Buddha considers to Abhidhamma in Ratanaghaha, he goes to Tavatamsa by taking up residence for the rains and explain the Abhidhmma to Santussita Deva who mother with 10000 devas from universe. While his clone talk to them extensively, himself explain to Sariputtara by summary and Sariputtara explain to his disciples who bats by medium again. Therefore, after it descends from them, become fashionable in Srilankar. Since the fifteenth century, Burma has been the international centre of Abhidhamma studies, and therefore we find many commentaries written on it by Burmese scholars both in Pali and in Burmese. Commentaries on the Sahgaha in Pali alone number nineteen, of which the following are the most important:
1) Abhidhammatthasangaha-Tika by Navavimalabuddhi.
2) Abhidhammatthavibhavini-Tika by Sumangalasami.
3) Sankhepa-vannana by Saddhamma Jotipala.
4) Paramatthadipani-Tika by Ledi Sayadaw.
5) Ankura-Tika by Vimala Sayadaw.
6) Navanita-Tika by Dhammananda Kosambi.
The Abhidhammattha Sangaha is pinkie commentaries and written by Anuruddha.
Note- there were two different monks named Anuruddha, another in kancipura who wrote the Paramattha-vinicchaya.
The Abhidhammatthasangaha contains nine chapters. Chapter 1 is the Compendium of Consciousness, which defines and classifies the 89 and 121 cittas or types of consciousness. Chapter 2 is Compendium of 52 cetasika or concomitants of consciousness. Chapter 3 is Compendium of the Miscellaneous, alone with their factors with respect to six categories: root(hetu), feeling(vedna), function (kicca), door(dvara), object(arammana), and base(vatthu). Chapter 4 is convention of consciousness with six door(dvara) and Chapter 5 is convention of consciousness with big-head(bavaga), death(cuti), bath(patisante). Chapter 6 is classification cause of matter and nivana and Chapter 7 is classification to citta, cetasika, rupa, nivara by aggregate, object, and element. Chapter 8 is cause and result and Chapter 9 is meditation and insight.
Rev. Pannasiri
Sitagu International Buddhist Academy