Thanissaro may not have read Abhidhamma to the extent that Erich Frauwallner did,
who wrote
"Studies in Abhidhamma Literature and the Origins of Buddhist Philosophical systems."
Perhaps in that talk (OP) Thanissaro merely implies that he is not into Abhidhamma?
Reading the Pali canon, one cannot escape Abhidhamma.
For instance the last 2 suttas of Digha Nikaya DN 33 and DN 34 are works of Abhidhamma as some scholars claim. Many later suttas have abhidhamma ideas built into them. MN 111 is a clear example.
But this is deviating from the topic.
Thanissaro had some familiarity with abhidhamma,
how could he not?
Here is an instance where he points to Niddesa. An excerpt from Kalaha Vivada sutta Sn 4.11 which the Venerable translated in 1994. I will explain it minimally.
Excerpt
"One not percipient of perceptionsnot percipient of aberrant perceptions,not unpercipient,nor percipient of what's disappeared:[2] for one arriving at this, form disappears —
In the footnotes to this verse the Venerable writes,
According to Nd.I, this passage is describing the four formless jhanas, (this is how abhidhamma interpreted
Form disappears)
Earlier in Sn 4.11 Buddha says
"Conditioned by name & form is contact"
If so, what happens when form disappears?
How do the dear people on this forum interpret this verse?
You dont have to answer this.
To me it is clear that Sn 4.11 is a teaching on Dependent Origination. Sutta is saying
"when form disappears to the meditating monk, contact too disappears"
Hence dependent origination will cease to be.
Thanissaro is very familiar with the Pali canon. He is an erudite monk.
But this particular case points to an instance where Niddesa as early as it was, misinterpreted a teaching in the Attakavagga, a sutta which was clearly memorised by the followers of the day, as the stories of Sona and Nandamatha imply.
When Sona was asked to speak of Dhamma, by the Buddha, he recited the verses of the Atthakavagga. Buddha responded,
“Well done, monk! The Group of Octads is well memorised by you. You have pondered it carefully, reflected upon it thoroughly. You have a beautiful voice, a good delivery, and clear articulation. You made the meaning clear”
Did Abhidhamma always get Buddha right? Thanissaro made me think about it.
With love