How do you all view it? Something that was taught by the buddha or something that was a latter addition?
Also do any of you feel that it contradicts the pali canon on some points?
abhidhamma
abhidhamma
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
Re: abhidhamma
Hi Craig
Apparently the Abhidhamma was accepted as Buddhavacana at the first Buddhist Council.
How do I view it? Given my exposure is via Bhikkhu Bodhi's 'A comprehensive manual of the Abhidhamma', the writings of Ledi Sayadaw and a couple of chapters from Nina Van Gorkom, I view it very positively.
As for whether the Abhidhamma was composed by the Buddha or by Sariputta, I think is by and large irrelevant.
Metta
Ben
Apparently the Abhidhamma was accepted as Buddhavacana at the first Buddhist Council.
How do I view it? Given my exposure is via Bhikkhu Bodhi's 'A comprehensive manual of the Abhidhamma', the writings of Ledi Sayadaw and a couple of chapters from Nina Van Gorkom, I view it very positively.
As for whether the Abhidhamma was composed by the Buddha or by Sariputta, I think is by and large irrelevant.
Metta
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cittasanto
- Posts: 6646
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
- Location: Ellan Vannin
- Contact:
Re: abhidhamma
Not read it or and commentary for it, but if it works for someone then it works!
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
Re: abhidhamma
I have no strong reason to discount it, however i do feel that it seems to stray a bit off into metaphysical speculation
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
Re: abhidhamma
Hi Craig
If you take the view that the Abhidhamma was either composed by the Buddha or Sariputta or later highly realised writers then there is nothing speculative about it. The great thing about the Dhamma is that it has been tested for the last 2,500 years. If the abhidhamma was found to be a work of fiction, it would have been discounted as such by many through out its history.
Kind regards
Ben
If you take the view that the Abhidhamma was either composed by the Buddha or Sariputta or later highly realised writers then there is nothing speculative about it. The great thing about the Dhamma is that it has been tested for the last 2,500 years. If the abhidhamma was found to be a work of fiction, it would have been discounted as such by many through out its history.
Kind regards
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- retrofuturist
- Posts: 27848
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: abhidhamma
Greetings Craig,
My perspective is that the Abhidhamma Pitaka constitutes a Dhamma Theory that attempts to systemise the teachings of the Buddha (as recorded in the Sutta Pitaka) in such a way that they capture the technical essence of the teachings without reference to conventional concepts or references to self. Quite possibly it was a reaction to heretical monks and rival early schools who insisted on the existence of some kind of atta, puggala etc. In turn, the Abhidhamma would be classified as Buddha Word because it was well spoken.
Origins aside, I think it's a very valuable and complementary tool for understanding the doctrines of anatta and anicca. My concerns about it are when it extends beyond the scope of the suttas, presumably to fill certain gaps in a well-rounded and comprehensive Dhamma Theory that couldn't be satisfactorily answered by the suttas alone. Using the Simsapa Sutta as a guide, I believe that things that the Buddha didn't teach can be safely left to one side, so whilst I find the Abhidhamma interesting and insightful, it doesn't play a central role in my practice or understanding of the Dhamma.
Metta,
Retro.
My perspective is that the Abhidhamma Pitaka constitutes a Dhamma Theory that attempts to systemise the teachings of the Buddha (as recorded in the Sutta Pitaka) in such a way that they capture the technical essence of the teachings without reference to conventional concepts or references to self. Quite possibly it was a reaction to heretical monks and rival early schools who insisted on the existence of some kind of atta, puggala etc. In turn, the Abhidhamma would be classified as Buddha Word because it was well spoken.
Origins aside, I think it's a very valuable and complementary tool for understanding the doctrines of anatta and anicca. My concerns about it are when it extends beyond the scope of the suttas, presumably to fill certain gaps in a well-rounded and comprehensive Dhamma Theory that couldn't be satisfactorily answered by the suttas alone. Using the Simsapa Sutta as a guide, I believe that things that the Buddha didn't teach can be safely left to one side, so whilst I find the Abhidhamma interesting and insightful, it doesn't play a central role in my practice or understanding of the Dhamma.
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Re: abhidhamma
In what sense is it metaphysical? It seems to me to be simply a (much) more detailed set of lists (than aggregates, elements, sense bases, etc) to classify experience. Meditation approaches such as those taught by Mahasi Sayadaw, U Pandita, etc (which includes many western"vipassana" or "insight" teachers) make quite a lot of use of the concepts.clw_uk wrote:I have no strong reason to discount it, however i do feel that it seems to stray a bit off into metaphysical speculation
Abhidhamma in Daily Life by Nina Van Gorkom, is a relatively practical introduction.
http://mail.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/nina ... bhi-00.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There is a PDF version here:
http://www.zolag.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta
Mike
Re: abhidhamma
clw_uk,
Jason
Personally, I think that the Abhidhamma Pitaka is essentially a systematization of certain concepts and terms found throughout the Sutta Pitaka — with additional concepts and terms added in for logical consistency — which was possibly intended to act as a pedagogical tool, as well as an attempt to describe the ultimate nature of reality. Many scholars also agree that the Abhidhamma Pitaka was a later addition to the original teachings that gradual developed over several centuries. This is not only evident from the fact that the Abhidhamma utilizes words that are found nowhere else in the Canon, but also from the fact that each school had their own version (some even rejecting it altogether). As such, I do not think that the Abhidhamma Pitaka as we know it today was taught by the Buddha, although I do think that parts of it may have been.clw_uk wrote:How do you all view it? Something that was taught by the buddha or something that was a latter addition?
Also do any of you feel that it contradicts the pali canon on some points?
Jason
Last edited by Jason on Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Sabbe dhamma nalam abhinivesaya" (AN 7.58).
leaves in the hand (Buddhist-related blog)
leaves in the forest (non-Buddhist related blog)
leaves in the hand (Buddhist-related blog)
leaves in the forest (non-Buddhist related blog)
Re: abhidhamma
If I had bothered to come up with a well formulated opinion about Abhidhamma, it probably would have sounded something like this.retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Craig,
My perspective is that the Abhidhamma Pitaka constitutes a Dhamma Theory that attempts to systemise the teachings of the Buddha (as recorded in the Sutta Pitaka) in such a way that they capture the technical essence of the teachings without reference to conventional concepts or references to self. Quite possibly it was a reaction to heretical monks and rival early schools who insisted on the existence of some kind of atta, puggala etc. In turn, the Abhidhamma would be classified as Buddha Word because it was well spoken.
Origins aside, I think it's a very valuable and complementary tool for understanding the doctrines of anatta and anicca. My concerns about it are when it extends beyond the scope of the suttas, presumably to fill certain gaps in a well-rounded and comprehensive Dhamma Theory that couldn't be satisfactorily answered by the suttas alone. Using the Simsapa Sutta as a guide, I believe that things that the Buddha didn't teach can be safely left to one side, so whilst I find the Abhidhamma interesting and insightful, it doesn't play a central role in my practice or understanding of the Dhamma.
Metta,
Retro.
Except for the fact that right now it's playing a pretty significant role in my understanding, because it seems to be cementing the tiny little gaps in my knowledge between certain areas.
-M
Re: abhidhamma
Thank you all for your replies
Is there anywhere you can view or buy it online?
Is there anywhere you can view or buy it online?
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- Cittasanto
- Posts: 6646
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
- Location: Ellan Vannin
- Contact:
Re: abhidhamma
the only Full version of the actual text I know of is at the Pali Text Societyclw_uk wrote:Thank you all for your replies
Is there anywhere you can view or buy it online?
but I don't know for certain
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
Re: abhidhamma
Thanks Manapa
Metta
Craig
Metta
Craig
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
- retrofuturist
- Posts: 27848
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:52 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: abhidhamma
Greetings Craig,
As for materials on line, this is probably as good a starting point as any.
A Manual of Abhidhamma by Narada
http://mail.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/abhisgho/abhis00.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Bodhi has since refashioned this manual and published it in book form under the title "A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma".
Metta,
Retro.
As for materials on line, this is probably as good a starting point as any.
A Manual of Abhidhamma by Narada
http://mail.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/abhisgho/abhis00.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Bodhi has since refashioned this manual and published it in book form under the title "A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma".
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
- jcsuperstar
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:15 am
- Location: alaska
- Contact:
Re: abhidhamma
you know i just realized that 15 mins ago when i was holding both books in my hand....retrofuturist wrote:Greetings Craig,
As for materials on line, this is probably as good a starting point as any.
A Manual of Abhidhamma by Narada
http://mail.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/abhisgho/abhis00.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Bodhi has since refashioned this manual and published it in book form under the title "A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma".
Metta,
Retro.
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
Re: abhidhamma
Hi Retrofuturist,
Thanks for the link, i do have a copy of the manual by bhikkhu bodi, i was looking to get a copy of just the text.
Thanks for your advice though
Thanks for the link, i do have a copy of the manual by bhikkhu bodi, i was looking to get a copy of just the text.
Thanks for your advice though
“Knowing that this body is just like foam,
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”
understanding it has the nature of a mirage,
cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows,
one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.”