Wow. Even though I haven’t the slightest clue what you’re going on about, I find that very offensive.Dhammavamsa wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:46 amAbhidhamma Pitaka is the analytical part of the Dhamma. It dissects the concepts such as aggregates, types of kamma, definition and underlying meaning of phrase that mentioned in the Suttas. Furthermore, Abhidhamma Pitaka and the commentaries were accepted by the Arahants since the ancient times with the original orthodox Mahasangha (Theravada). The other schools that split themselves from Theravada were schismatic and of no Arahants at all.Pondera wrote: ↑Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:29 amI apologize. I’ve read the Theravada - Pugalavada arguments on “Self”. Don’t make me post them here. They’re utterly ridiculous - following a formulaic standard which repeats itself letter after letter with the arguments transversed. It’s nearly unreadable.
I am a very analytic type. I majored in Math. I have a firm understanding of formal logic. The type of argument displayed between the Theravada and Pugalavada Sects on the existence of the self is a tiresome bore that could benefit from a little hardcore ad hominem.
You are majored in maths and with logic thinking, yet you find Abhidhamma boring. I wonder how your profession has anything to do with Pariyatti. To me, this is just like putting SJW stuff in a military recruitment ad like what USA did recently.
If anything, the Buddha’s words are the theorems, lemmas and conjectures of wisdom.
The abhidamma is an attempt of proof.
Like a mathematical proof. Like the proof of Fermats last Theorem.
I will NEVER understand that proof. However, I can appreciate the simple fact that no three positive integers a, b, and c satisfy the equation aⁿ + bⁿ = cⁿ for any integer value of n greater than 2.
Keep in mind that we can thank Andrew Wiles for his one hundred page proof of this fact.
And yet, what would it be compared to the margin that was too small for Fermat to scribble in his “simple and elegant” proof to the same effect??!!
Ie. abhidamma is not the simplest and most direct proof of the Buddha’s teachings.
The fact that every line I have read of it instantly bores me to tears is indication enough for ME that by not reading it I am saving what precious little time I have this earth.
Sujato - a Pali scholar - admits that learning the abhidamma at one point in his life meant having to unlearn it at a later point in his life.