Grammatical Analysis
Abhidhamma: [m.] higher doctrine; special doctrine; ultimate philosophy. Formed by prefix abhi (special, elevated, supreme, profound) + dhamma (truth, reality). Meaning: the analytical dissection of ultimate truth.
Orthodox Definition
Abhidhamma is the third major division of the Tipiṭaka (Abhidhamma Piṭaka). Methodologically, it is defined as Paramattha-desanā (ultimate teaching). Unlike the conventional language of the Suttas, the Abhidhamma entirely strips away concepts like “beings,” “individuals,” or “persons,” reducing all experiential reality down to its absolute, irreducible momentary phenomena (dhammas).
The system classifies the universe into four ultimate realities (paramattha):
- Citta (Consciousness - 89 or 121 types)
- Cetasika (Mental Factors - 52 types)
- Rūpa (Materiality - 28 types)
- Nibbāna (The Unconditioned Element)
The Abhidhamma provides a highly clinical, microscopic map of the mind’s operation, detailing how consciousness arises and falls in precise cognitive series (citta-vīthi). The orthodox tradition holds that the Abhidhamma reflects the complete, unrestricted omniscience (sabbaññuta-ñāṇa) of the Buddha, providing the ultimate structural breakdown required to collapse identity view.
Textual References
- Canonical: The seven core books: Dhammasaṅgaṇī, Vibhaṅga, Dhātukathā, Puggalapaññatti, Kathāvatthu, Yamaka, and Paṭṭhāna.
- Textual: Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha – Ācariya Anuruddha’s later manual summarizing the entire Abhidhamma matrix.
- Commentary: Atthasālinī and Sammohavinodanī – Foundational analytical commentaries.