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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.
Quote
Tattha paṭisambhidānaṃ maggoti tannāmavisesito cāti vuttattā paṭisambhidāmaggassa paṭisambhidāmaggatā tāva vattabbā.
“Here, since it is stated, ‘It is called the Path of Paṭisambhidā, thus specifically named,’ the fact that the Paṭisambhidāmagga is the Paṭisambhidāmagga must first be explained.”Catasso hi paṭisambhidā – atthapaṭisambhidā, dhammapaṭisambhidā, niruttipaṭisambhidā, paṭibhānapaṭisambhidāti.
“For there are four paṭisambhidās: atthapaṭisambhidā, dhammapaṭisambhidā, niruttipaṭisambhidā, and paṭibhānapaṭisambhidā.”Tāsaṃ paṭisambhidānaṃ maggo adhigamūpāyoti paṭisambhidāmaggo, paṭisambhidāpaṭilābhahetūti vuttaṃ hoti.
“The path to these paṭisambhidās, the means of attainment, is the Paṭisambhidāmagga; it is said to be the cause for the acquisition of the paṭisambhidās.”Kathamayaṃ tāsaṃ maggo hotīti ce?
“If it is asked, ‘How is this the path to them?’”Pabhedato desitāya desanāya paṭisambhidāñāṇāvahattā.
“It is because the teaching, expounded in detail, brings forth the knowledge of the paṭisambhidās.”Nānābhedabhinnānañhi dhammānaṃ nānābhedabhinnā desanā sotūnaṃ ariyapuggalānaṃ paṭisambhidāñāṇappabhedañca sañjaneti, puthujjanānaṃ āyatiṃ paṭisambhidāñāṇappabhedāya ca paccayo hoti.
“For a teaching differentiated into various distinctions generates the distinctions of paṭisambhidā-knowledge for noble individuals who listen, and for ordinary people, it is a condition for the distinctions of paṭisambhidā-knowledge in the future.”Vuttañca – ‘‘pabhedato hi desanā ghanavinibbhogapaṭisambhidāñāṇāvahā hotī’’ti (dha. sa. aṭṭha. 1.kāmāvacarakusalapadabhājanīya).
“And it has been said: ‘Indeed, a teaching given in detail brings forth paṭisambhidā-knowledge that penetrates the compact’ (Dhammasaṅgaṇī-aṭṭhakathā 1, Kāmāvacarakusalapadabhājanīya).”Ayañca nānābhedabhinnā desanā, tenassā paṭisambhidānaṃ maggattasiddhi.
“And this teaching is differentiated into various distinctions; hence, its success as the path to the paṭisambhidās.”— Paṭisambhidāmagga-aṭṭhakathā (Saddhammappakāsinī) (pa)
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.