introduction to the abhidhamma. the abhidhamma the pali canon, or the tipitaka, consists of the...

Introduction to the Abhidhamma

The Abhidhamma

The Pali Canon, or the Tipitaka, consists of the collection of the three Pitakas : the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Although traditionally attributed to the Buddha, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is generally accepted to be the work of later scholar monks who re-organized and tabulated His teachings into this set of 7 books.

The Abhidhamma

The Pali Canon, or the Tipitaka, consists of the collection of the three Pitakas : the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Although traditionally attributed to the Buddha, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is generally accepted to be the work of later scholar monks who re-organized and tabulated His teachings into this set of 7 books.

The Abhidhamma

According to tradition in the Commentaries to the Abhidhamma, the Buddha ascended to the Tavatimsa heaven in three giant steps after performing the Twin Miracle.

The Buddha then preached the Abhidhamma to his late mother (who was reborn in the heavenly realms), together with an audience of thousands of Devas.

The Abhidhamma

According to tradition in the Commentaries to the Abhidhamma, the Buddha ascended to the Tavatimsa heaven in three giant steps after performing the Twin Miracle.

The Buddha then preached the Abhidhamma to his late mother (who was reborn in the heavenly realms), together with an audience of thousands of Devas.

The Abhidhamma

During the 3 months of his preaching, the Buddha would come down to earth for his alms, creating an image of himself in Tavatimsa to continue teaching.

He taught the Abhidhamma to the Devas rather than to humans because to give a complete picture, it has to be expounded from the beginning to the end to the same audience in a single session.

The Abhidhamma

During the 3 months of his preaching, the Buddha would come down to earth for his alms, creating an image of himself in Tavatimsa to continue teaching.

He taught the Abhidhamma to the Devas rather than to humans because to give a complete picture, it has to be expounded from the beginning to the end to the same audience in a single session.

The Abhidhamma

Since the full teaching requires 3 months, only the Devas and Brahmas could receive it fully, for they are capable of remaining in one posture for such a length of time.

Back on the human realm for His alms, the Buddha would then relate it to Ven. Sariputta who then taught it to his own 500 pupils.

The Abhidhamma

Since the full teaching requires 3 months, only the Devas and Brahmas could receive it fully, for they are capable of remaining in one posture for such a length of time.

Back on the human realm for His alms, the Buddha would then relate it to Ven. Sariputta who then taught it to his own 500 pupils.

The Abhidhamma

After He finished preaching the Abhidhamma, the Deva king created a triple staircase made from silver, gold and precious gems so that the Buddha could descend to the human town of Sankassa.

While descending, the Buddha used his powers to enable the millions of humans who had come to welcome him, to see the celestial beings accompanying him down.

The Abhidhamma

After He finished preaching the Abhidhamma, the Deva king created a triple staircase made from silver, gold and precious gems so that the Buddha could descend to the human town of Sankassa.

While descending, the Buddha used his powers to enable the millions of humans who had come to welcome him, to see the celestial beings accompanying him down.

The Abhidhamma

Scholars however, generally date the Abhidhamma to about 100 to 200 years after the death of the Buddha.

Also, there is no mention of the Abhidhamma in the First Council and the early schools all had different versions.

Therefore, the Abhidhamma is likely not to represent the words of the Buddha directly, but those of his later disciples.

The Abhidhamma

Nonetheless, it is a complex and fascinating set of texts which present the teachings in terms of “Ultimate Realities” as opposed to “Conventional Realities”.

Consciousness is defined. Thoughts and mental states are analyzed and classified from an ethical standpoint. Mind and matter are discussed, with the aim of realizing Nibbana.

The Abhidhamma

Nonetheless, it is a complex and fascinating set of texts which present the teachings in terms of “Ultimate Realities” as opposed to “Conventional Realities”.

Consciousness is defined. Thoughts and mental states are analyzed and classified from an ethical standpoint. Mind and matter are discussed, with the aim of realizing Nibbana.

The Abhidhamma

• Consciousness / Cittas

• The Thought Process

• Mental Factors / Cetasikas

• The Last Thought Moment

• Form / Rupa

The Abhidhamma

• Form / Rupa

The Abhidhamma

• Form / Rupa

The Abhidhamma

• Form / Rupa

The Abhidhamma

• Form / Rupa

31 Planes of Existence4 Formless Planes

Beings of Mind Only

Neither Perception nor Non-PerceptionNothingness Infinite ConsciousnessInfinite Space

16 Form Planes

Beings of Fine Material

5 Pure Abodes for Non-Returners

10 Brahma realms

1 realm of body only (no mind)

7 Planes of Sensual Happiness 6 Deva realms

1 Human realm

4 Planes of Misery DemonsHungry GhostsAnimalsHell

Beings of Mind Only

16 Form Planes

10 Brahma realms

1 Human realm

Beings of Mind Only

16 Form Planes

10 Brahma realms

1 Human realm

Beings of Mind Only

16 Form Planes

10 Brahma realms

1 Human realm

Beings of Mind Only

16 Form Planes

10 Brahma realms

Sensual Planes of Existence

6 Deva realms

1 Human realm

DemonsHungry GhostsAnimalsHell

Beings of Mind Only

Form Planesof Existence

10 Brahma realms

Sensual Planesof Existence

6 Deva realms

1 Human realm

31 Planes of Existence

Formless Planesof Existence

10 Brahma realms

6 Deva realms

1 Human realm

Literal view :

These are actual places of existence.

Psychological view :

These are states of mind.

Composite view :

These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

Literal view :

Composite view :

Literal view :

Composite view :

Literal view :

Composite view :

Literal view :

Composite view :

Literal view :

Composite view :

Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

Unwholesome(Akusala)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Wholesome(Kusala)

Greed(Lobha)

Non-Greed(Alobha)

Hatred(Dosa)

Non-Hatred(Adosa)

Delusion(Moha)

Non-Delusion(Amoha)

Consciousness / Cittas - Types

• Intention (Kamma)

• Resultant (Vipaka)

• Functional (Kriya)

Formless Planesof Existence

10 Brahma realms

6 Deva realms

1 Human realm

CLASSIFICATION OF CITTAS BY PLANES OF EXISTENCE

Consciousness or Cittas (89)

Sensual Planes Form Planes Formless Planes Supramundane

Wholesome Resultant Functional

Path Fruit

Wholesome Unwholesome Rootless functional

Path Fruit

Consciousness / Cittas

According to the Abhidhamma, millions of thoughts run through our minds every second.

Each thought consists of a stream of 17 thought moments which are types of consciousness or cittas.

Therefore, there are billions of cittas occurring in our minds each second, which are too quick to be perceived.

The Thought Process

A thought process starts when an object impinges on one of our senses. In Buddhism, there are 6 senses :

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

1. Seeing (Eye)

2. Hearing (Ear)

3. Smelling (Nose)

4. Tasting (Tongue)

5. Touching (Body)

6. Thinking (Mind)

The Thought Process

Example of thought process of Seeing :

Subconscious (3) Resultant

Turning to sense door (1) Functional

Sense consciousness (3) Resultant

Determining consciousness (1) Functional

Intention consciousness (7) Kamma

Retention consciousness (2) Resultant

The Thought Process

Mental Factors / Cetasikas

These are the 52 mental factors that arise together, and are associated, with consciousness and can be subdivided into four types :

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals

2. Occasionals

3. Unwholesome

4. Wholesome

1. Universals (7) :

These occur in all states of consciousness. For example, Contact and Attention.

2. Occasionals (6) :

These may or may not arise together with consciousness. For example, Effort and Joy.

1. Universals (7) :

These occur in all states of consciousness. For example, Contact and Attention.

2. Occasionals (6) :

These may or may not arise together with consciousness. For example, Effort and Joy.

1. Unwholesome (14) :

These are associated with the 3 unwholesome roots. For example, Envy and Selfishness.

2. Wholesome (25) :

These are associated with the 3 wholesome roots. For example, Mindfulness and Compassion.

1. Unwholesome (14) :

These are associated with the 3 unwholesome roots. For example, Envy and Selfishness.

2. Wholesome (25) :

These are associated with the 3 wholesome roots. For example, Mindfulness and Compassion.

The Last Thought MomentAccording to the Theravada Abhidhamma, the last thought moment before death is of crucial importance as it determines the destination and condition of the next life.

Therefore, a person who has done much good in his life, may have an unfortunate rebirth due to an adverse last thought moment, and vice versa.

The Last Thought MomentAccording to the Theravada Abhidhamma, the last thought moment before death is of crucial importance as it determines the destination and condition of the next life.

Therefore, a person who has done much good in his life, may have an unfortunate rebirth due to an adverse last thought moment, and vice versa.

The Last Thought MomentHowever, this is against the general principle of kamma that one single thought moment can undo a life of good deeds, or conversely, make up for a life of evil.

In any case, it is impossible to control or predict the last thought moment as there are billions of thought moments arising and passing away every second.

The Last Thought MomentHowever, this is against the general principle of kamma that one single thought moment can undo a life of good deeds, or conversely, make up for a life of evil.

In any case, it is impossible to control or predict the last thought moment as there are billions of thought moments arising and passing away every second.

The Last Thought MomentIt is much more likely that a person who has done many evil deeds will have the bad kamma of an unwholesome last thought moment, despite the conditions of death, leading to a less fortunate rebirth.

In the same way, a person who has done many good things, will very likely have the good kamma of a wholesome last thought moment, leading to a fortunate rebirth, despite the conditions of death.

The Last Thought MomentIt is much more likely that a person who has done many evil deeds will have the bad kamma of an unwholesome last thought moment, despite the conditions of death, leading to a less fortunate rebirth.

In the same way, a person who has done many good things, will very likely have the good kamma of a wholesome last thought moment, leading to a fortunate rebirth, despite the conditions of death.

Form / Rupa

All matter is comprised of 4 elements, in varying degrees, which are the building blocks of all material things :

1. Earth element : Solidity

2. Water element : Fluidity

3. Fire element : Temperature

4. Wind element : Motion

Form / Rupa

The Abhidhamma

Although the Abhidhamma is not directly the words of the Buddha, most of its important elements can be traced to His teachings.

Therefore, if placed in the proper context, we should learn the Abhidhamma to broaden our knowledge and acquire different perspectives of the Buddha’s teachings.

The Abhidhamma

Although the Abhidhamma is not directly the words of the Buddha, most of its important elements can be traced to His teachings.

Therefore, if placed in the proper context, we should learn the Abhidhamma to broaden our knowledge and acquire different perspectives of the Buddha’s teachings.

The Abhidhamma

Knowledge of the Abhidhamma is helpful for meditation, especially for practitioners of Vipassana meditation.

More importantly, it is useful and applicable for our daily lives. It can help us to see our own states of mind and recognize whether they are wholesome or unwholesome. In this way, we can be better Buddhists and people too.

The Abhidhamma

Knowledge of the Abhidhamma is helpful for meditation, especially for practitioners of Vipassana meditation.

More importantly, it is useful and applicable for our daily lives. It can help us to see our own states of mind and recognize whether they are wholesome or unwholesome. In this way, we can be better Buddhists and people too.

Prepared by T Y Lee

www.justbegood.net

introduction to the abhidhamma. the abhidhamma the pali canon, or the tipitaka, consists of the...

Documents

abhidhamma slide

abhidhamma pitaka

abhidhamma scholars

vinaya pitaka

sutta pitaka

later disciples

early schools

tavatimsa heaven