Grammatical Analysis
Paṭisambhidāmagga: [m.] The Path of Discrimination; The Path of Analysis. Formed by paṭisambhidā (analytical knowledge, exact discrimination) + magga (path).
Orthodox Definition
The Paṭisambhidāmagga is the twelfth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya. Like the Niddesa, it is attributed entirely to Venerable Sāriputta.
While placed in the Sutta-piṭaka, it reads exactly like an Abhidhamma text. It is an incredibly dense, structural mapping of the mechanics of meditation, insight (vipassanā), and awakening. It does not tell stories; it systematically catalogues exactly how insight knowledges arise, how mindfulness of breathing is perfected, and the precise cognitive mechanics of the paths and fruits.
For the orthodox tradition, the Paṭisambhidāmagga is the supreme canonical authority on meditation methodology. Buddhaghosa relied on it heavily; nearly the entire structural framework of the Visuddhimagga’s chapters on insight knowledges is drawn directly from Sāriputta’s analysis in this text.
Textual References
- Canonical: Ñāṇakathā (Treatise on Knowledge) – The massive opening chapter detailing the 73 types of knowledge, from mundane insight to the omniscient knowledge of the Buddha.
- Canonical: Ānāpānakathā (Treatise on Breathing) – The most detailed canonical breakdown of mindfulness of breathing.
- Commentary: Saddhammappakāsinī – Mahānāma’s commentary on this highly technical manual.