The Dhamma discoursed by the Blessed one for 45 years can be
divided mainly as Dhamma and Vinaya. The Vinaya once again divided into Vinaya
and Abhivinaya, disciplinary codes such as Parajika & Sangadhisesa included
in first two books of vinaya pitaka (Parajika pali and Pacittaya pali) are
known as Vinaya while other three books in Vinaya pitaka are known as
Abhivinaya that include rules relating to ordination, higher ordination, poya
kamma, measures to come clean in offence, etc
The Dhamma once again divided as Dhamma and Abhidhamma. The
doctrine preached by the Buddha to various beings in different situations and
places, included in Sutta are known as Dhamma. The descriptive analysis of
consciousness, mental factors, matters, Nibbana, included in seven books of
Abhidhamma pitaka are known as Abhidhamma.
Maha sangika order during king kalashoka period (B.E 90-110)
first started the debate by Stating Abhidhamma is not a buddha’s discourse,
during that period that group was known as “Vithandavadi” and later included Scholars
like Aldernberg,etc. Therefore, like to present few facts from Tripitaka Texts
to denote The Abhidhamma in fact is a discourse came directly from Buddha and
not an inclusion afterwards;
- Mahagosinha sutta in Majjima Nikaya states the presence of Abhidhamma “ Devaabhikkhu Abhidhamma katha kathenthi”, while Gulissani Sutta in MN states “ Arannakhenahawuso Bhikkhuna abhidhamme abhivinaye yoga karaniyo” even attakatha relating to this sutta clearly indicate Abhidhamma means Abhidhamma pitaka (“Abhidhamme abhivinayethi abhidhmmapitakewewa vinayapitakewa”).
- The 72rd parcittaya precept in Pacittaya pali of vianya pitaka, in anapaththivara “Anapaththinena vivannethu kamo, engathawa suttanthewa gathayowa abhidhammanwa pariyapunassu pachchapi vinayan pariyapunissathithi bhanathi”. During Buddha’s time if Abhidhamma pitaka was not present, why mentioning Abhidhamma pitaka when describing this precept?
- 12th precept in Jaththupahana vagga of Bhikkuni Vibhanga in Pacittaya pali clearly mention the presence of Vinaya, Dhamma and Abhidhamma “ Suttante okasankarapethva vinayan va abhidhamme va puchthathi apaththi pacittiyassa”
- In Punna thera apadana (of Apadana pali in Kuddaka Niakaya ) Punna thera states that he is proficient in Abhidhamma “Abhidhammannu” hence he became well versed in Dhamma (Athggra pali in AN) and that statement match well with “Abhidhhammiko ewa dhammakathiko” saying in attakatha, and further confirmed it through Rathavinetha sutta in MN.
- Opening extracts discoursed by Ven Sariputta in Maha Nidesha pali in kuddahaka Nikaya include 26 least number of Dhammasangani statements, 17 least number of vibbhaga pata’ statements, etc.
May all beings be well and happy
& attain the fruit of Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali &
Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
