Is it compulsory to accept Abhidhamma as a part of doctrine to be considered as Theravada?

[Coëmgenu]

Here it is, complete with a useless broken citation that leads to nothing, so I didn't include it:

The anatta concept has been a subject of intense debate in Thailand, dating as far back as 1939, when the 12th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand published a book arguing that Nirvana was the "true-self".

I was wrong about the 80s. Does anyone know anything about this? Supposedly, the Thai State Samgha has a regularized curriculum of learning that would ideally prevent things like this from happening, especially with the Supreme Patriarch/Samgharaja.

The new date would mean that the supposed author was Ven Ariyavongsagatanana III.

[mikenz66]

I used to be you.

Reading this sentence, I can't help thinking of this, and related suttas...

“Mendicants, transmigration has no known beginning.
No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving.
When you see someone in a sorry state, in distress, you should conclude:
‘In all this long time, we too have undergone the same thing.’
https://suttacentral.net/sn15.11/en/sujato

Mike

[Ceisiwr]

I used to be you.

Reading this sentence, I can't help thinking of this, and related suttas...

“Mendicants, transmigration has no known beginning.
No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving.
When you see someone in a sorry state, in distress, you should conclude:
‘In all this long time, we too have undergone the same thing.’
https://suttacentral.net/sn15.11/en/sujato

Mike

[BrokenBones]

I used to be you.

Reading this sentence, I can't help thinking of this, and related suttas...

“Mendicants, transmigration has no known beginning.
No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving.
When you see someone in a sorry state, in distress, you should conclude:
‘In all this long time, we too have undergone the same thing.’
https://suttacentral.net/sn15.11/en/sujato

Mike

I'm still not paying his bills for him.

[mikenz66]

[SarathW]

I think the easiest to understand in Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Points of controversy.
What is your favorite out of these seven books?


https://suttacentral.net/pitaka/abhidhamma/pli-tv-ab

[Dhammavamsa]

I think the easiest to understand in Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Points of controversy.
What is your favorite out of these seven books?


https://suttacentral.net/pitaka/abhidhamma/pli-tv-ab

Kathavathu is my favourite too in Abhidhamma Pitaka so far. Plus, it was clearly stated that it was expounded by Bhante Arahant Moggaliputta Tissa Thera to put down the heresies of Sarvastivada, Mahasanghika and Vajjiputtaka sects. It is quite a important book. And through his disciple, Bhante Arahant Mahinda Thera brought the Pali Tipitaka to Lankadipa, well examined, well analysed and well taught by the Arahantas, from this it further increases my confidence in the Suttas and their commentaries.

[SarathW]

I think the easiest to understand in Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Points of controversy.
What is your favorite out of these seven books?


https://suttacentral.net/pitaka/abhidhamma/pli-tv-ab

Kathavathu is my favourite too in Abhidhamma Pitaka so far. Plus, it was clearly stated that , it was expounded by Bhante Arahant Moggaliputta Tissa Thera to put down the heresies of SarvastivadaMahasanghika and Vajjiputtaka sects. It is quite a important book. And through his disciple, Bhante Arahant Mahinda Thera brought the Pali Tipitaka to Lankadipa, well examined, well analysed and well taught by the Arahantas, from this it further increases my confidence in the Suttas and their commentaries.

Bhante Arahant Moggaliputta

Which year (BC )he was alive?

[asahi]

I think the easiest to understand in Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Points of controversy.
What is your favorite out of these seven books?


https://suttacentral.net/pitaka/abhidhamma/pli-tv-ab

It appear that according to abhidhamma pitaka , isnt that the Theravadin are also called the Suttanta ?

[Dhammavamsa]

I think the easiest to understand in Abhidhamma Pitaka is the Points of controversy.
What is your favorite out of these seven books?


https://suttacentral.net/pitaka/abhidhamma/pli-tv-ab

Kathavathu is my favourite too in Abhidhamma Pitaka so far. Plus, it was clearly stated that , it was expounded by Bhante Arahant Moggaliputta Tissa Thera to put down the heresies of SarvastivadaMahasanghika and Vajjiputtaka sects. It is quite a important book. And through his disciple, Bhante Arahant Mahinda Thera brought the Pali Tipitaka to Lankadipa, well examined, well analysed and well taught by the Arahantas, from this it further increases my confidence in the Suttas and their commentaries.

Bhante Arahant Moggaliputta

Which year (BC )he was alive?

During the reign of Asoka King. Details I think can refer to Mahavamsa or culavamsa. Maybe Wikipedia will help.

[BrokenBones]

Is it compulsory to accept Abhidhamma a part of the doctrine to be considered as Theravada?
What if a particular Buddhist sect does not accept Abhidhamma as authoritative and reject accepting or teaching it.

It's quite possible that they would not be regarded as Theravada by quite a few people.

On the other hand... do you regard Mahayana or Tantric teachings as Buddhism or as Buddha Dhamma?

The Abhidhamma has a similar background story to Mahayana and Tantric treatises.

Are their fairy stories about how the teachings were transmitted to be believed? And if not... why should the Abhidhamma be considered any different?

[SarathW]

Is it compulsory to accept Abhidhamma a part of the doctrine to be considered as Theravada?
What if a particular Buddhist sect does not accept Abhidhamma as authoritative and reject accepting or teaching it.

It's quite possible that they would not be regarded as Theravada by quite a few people.

On the other hand... do you regard Mahayana or Tantric teachings as Buddhism or as Buddha Dhamma?
To me, they are half cast Buddhism like secular Buddhism.

The Abhidhamma has a similar background story to Mahayana and Tantric treatises.
In what sense. Unless you can prove Abhidhamma's teaching is against Sutta and Vinaya pitaka.

Are their fairy stories about how the teachings were transmitted to be believed? And if not... why should the Abhidhamma be considered any different?
My concern is the authoritative monks are restricting the right to learn and make up your own mind.

[BrokenBones]

Is it compulsory to accept Abhidhamma a part of the doctrine to be considered as Theravada?
What if a particular Buddhist sect does not accept Abhidhamma as authoritative and reject accepting or teaching it.

It's quite possible that they would not be regarded as Theravada by quite a few people.

On the other hand... do you regard Mahayana or Tantric teachings as Buddhism or as Buddha Dhamma?
To me, they are half cast Buddhism like secular Buddhism.

The Abhidhamma has a similar background story to Mahayana and Tantric treatises.
In what sense. Unless you can prove Abhidhamma's teaching is against Sutta and Vinaya pitaka.

Are their fairy stories about how the teachings were transmitted to be believed? And if not... why should the Abhidhamma be considered any different?
My concern is the authoritative monks are restricting the right to learn and make up your own mind.

I really don't understand where you're getting this from. No one is restricting anybody from anything. There are hundreds/thousands of monks who will teach Abhidhamma if anyone wants to listen.

I think you're trying to create a problem where one doesn't exist.

If a particular monk doesn't buy into the Abhidhamma and won't teach it... go to one who will.

[SarathW]

If a particular monk doesn't buy into the Abhidhamma and won't teach it... go to one who will.

Agree.
Before you become a monk know about your teacher and the linage.
However, a person can be ordained with a Theravada teacher thinking that his/her teacher respects Tipitaka.

[Dhammavamsa]

If a particular monk doesn't buy into the Abhidhamma and won't teach it... go to one who will.

Agree.
Before you become a monk know about your teacher and the linage.
However, a person can be ordained with a Theravada teacher thinking that his/her teacher respects Tipitaka.

During my times as a Samanera in a Sri Lankan temple, I remember someone from Sri Lanka said "because of the commentaries, Sri Lanka now don't have Arahants." Personally I think the statement wasn't all true, we can't blame others for our negligence and laziness.

Since you're a Sinhalese, may I know what is the reception of Abhidhamma and canonical commentaries among the common Sri Lankan Buddhists?