Grammatical Analysis
Vijjamāna-paññatti: [f.] Concept of something that does ultimately exist. Formed by vijjamāna (existing, found) + paññatti (concept, designation).
Orthodox Definition
A Vijjamāna-paññatti is a linguistic term or conceptual label that refers directly to an actual, irreducible ultimate reality (paramattha-dhamma).
While the word itself is just a sound or concept, the thing it points to genuinely exists under its own intrinsic nature. Examples include terms like “feeling” (vedanā), “contact” (phassa), “earth element” (paṭhavīdhātu), and “Nibbāna.” When you analyze “feeling,” you hit rock bottom; it cannot be deconstructed into a more fundamental component.
The Abhidhamma further combines these terms, such as a “concept of the non-existent based on the existent” (e.g., “a person possessing six senses”—where “person” is non-existent, but “six senses” are existent).
Textual References
- Canonical: Puggalapaññatti (Introduction) – Defining the classification of concepts.
- Historical: Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha (Chapter VIII) – Mapping how the mind utilizes both existent and non-existent concepts for communication.