Overview
The eighth triad of the Abhidhamma Mātikā categorizes phenomena based on exactly when they are eradicated on the path to awakening. It divides the destruction of defilements into two phases: the initial breakthrough of “Vision” (Stream-entry) and the subsequent “Cultivation” of the higher paths.
The List
- Dassanena pahātabbā dhammā - States to be abandoned by vision: The defilements eradicated by the first Path of Stream-entry (Sotāpattimagga). This includes identity view, doubt, clinging to rules and rituals, and the greedy/hateful kamma strong enough to cause rebirth in the lower realms.
- Bhāvanāya pahātabbā dhammā - States to be abandoned by cultivation: The remaining defilements eradicated by the higher three paths (Once-returning, Non-returning, Arahatship). This includes sensual desire, ill-will, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance.
- Nevadassanena nabhāvanāya pahātabbā dhammā - States to be abandoned by neither vision nor cultivation: Everything else in the universe. Wholesome states, resultant states, functional states, physical matter, and Nibbāna—because they are not defilements, they do not need to be eradicated by the paths.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Mātikā 8) – A crucial framework for understanding the exact psychological mechanism of the four stages of awakening.