Introduction to the Abhidhamma

1. Introduction to the Abhidhamma

2. The Abhidhamma The Pali Canon, or the Tipitaka, consists of the collection of the three Pitakas : the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Although traditionally attributed to the Buddha, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is generally accepted to be the work of later scholar monks who re-organized and tabulated His teachings into this set of 7 books.

3. The Abhidhamma The Pali Canon, or the Tipitaka, consists of the collection of the three Pitakas : the Sutta Pitaka, the Vinaya Pitaka and the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Although traditionally attributed to the Buddha, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is generally accepted to be the work of later scholar monks who re-organized and tabulated His teachings into this set of 7 books.

4. The Abhidhamma According to tradition in the Commentaries to the Abhidhamma, the Buddha ascended to the Tavatimsa heaven in three giant steps after performing the Twin Miracle. The Buddha then preached the Abhidhamma to his late mother (who was reborn in the heavenly realms), together with an audience of thousands of Devas.

6. The Abhidhamma According to tradition in the Commentaries to the Abhidhamma, the Buddha ascended to the Tavatimsa heaven in three giant steps after performing the Twin Miracle. The Buddha then preached the Abhidhamma to his late mother (who was reborn in the heavenly realms), together with an audience of thousands of Devas.

8. The Abhidhamma During the 3 months of his preaching, the Buddha would come down to earth for his alms, creating an image of himself in Tavatimsa to continue teaching. He taught the Abhidhamma to the Devas rather than to humans because to give a complete picture, it has to be expounded from the beginning to the end to the same audience in a single session.

9. The Abhidhamma During the 3 months of his preaching, the Buddha would come down to earth for his alms, creating an image of himself in Tavatimsa to continue teaching. He taught the Abhidhamma to the Devas rather than to humans because to give a complete picture, it has to be expounded from the beginning to the end to the same audience in a single session.

10. The Abhidhamma Since the full teaching requires 3 months, only the Devas and Brahmas could receive it fully, for they are capable of remaining in one posture for such a length of time. Back on the human realm for His alms, the Buddha would then relate it to Ven. Sariputta who then taught it to his own 500 pupils.

11. The Abhidhamma Since the full teaching requires 3 months, only the Devas and Brahmas could receive it fully, for they are capable of remaining in one posture for such a length of time. Back on the human realm for His alms, the Buddha would then relate it to Ven. Sariputta who then taught it to his own 500 pupils.

12. The Abhidhamma After He finished preaching the Abhidhamma, the Deva king created a triple staircase made from silver, gold and precious gems so that the Buddha could descend to the human town of Sankassa. While descending, the Buddha used his powers to enable the millions of humans who had come to welcome him, to see the celestial beings accompanying him down.

13. The Abhidhamma After He finished preaching the Abhidhamma, the Deva king created a triple staircase made from silver, gold and precious gems so that the Buddha could descend to the human town of Sankassa. While descending, the Buddha used his powers to enable the millions of humans who had come to welcome him, to see the celestial beings accompanying him down.

16. The Abhidhamma Scholars however, generally date the Abhidhamma to about 100 to 200 years after the death of the Buddha. Also, there is no mention of the Abhidhamma in the First Council and the early schools all had different versions. Therefore, the Abhidhamma is likely not to represent the words of the Buddha directly, but those of his later disciples.

17. The Abhidhamma Scholars however, generally date the Abhidhamma to about 100 to 200 years after the death of the Buddha. Also, there is no mention of the Abhidhamma in the First Council and the early schools all had different versions. Therefore, the Abhidhamma is likely not to represent the words of the Buddha directly, but those of his later disciples.

18. The Abhidhamma Scholars however, generally date the Abhidhamma to about 100 to 200 years after the death of the Buddha. Also, there is no mention of the Abhidhamma in the First Council and the early schools all had different versions. Therefore, the Abhidhamma is likely not to represent the words of the Buddha directly, but those of his later disciples.

19. The Abhidhamma Nonetheless, it is a complex and fascinating set of texts which present the teachings in terms of “Ultimate Realities” as opposed to “Conventional Realities”. Consciousness is defined. Thoughts and mental states are analyzed and classified from an ethical standpoint. Mind and matter are discussed, with the aim of realizing Nibbana.

20. The Abhidhamma Nonetheless, it is a complex and fascinating set of texts which present the teachings in terms of “Ultimate Realities” as opposed to “Conventional Realities”. Consciousness is defined. Thoughts and mental states are analyzed and classified from an ethical standpoint. Mind and matter are discussed, with the aim of realizing Nibbana.

21. The Abhidhamma Consciousness / Cittas The Thought Process Mental Factors / Cetasikas The Last Thought Moment Form / Rupa

22. The Abhidhamma Consciousness / Cittas The Thought Process Mental Factors / Cetasikas The Last Thought Moment Form / Rupa

23. The Abhidhamma Consciousness / Cittas The Thought Process Mental Factors / Cetasikas The Last Thought Moment Form / Rupa

24. The Abhidhamma Consciousness / Cittas The Thought Process Mental Factors / Cetasikas The Last Thought Moment Form / Rupa

25. The Abhidhamma Consciousness / Cittas The Thought Process Mental Factors / Cetasikas The Last Thought Moment Form / Rupa

27. 31 Planes of Existence

28. 31 Planes of Existence

29. 31 Planes of Existence

30. 31 Planes of Existence

31. 31 Planes of Existence

32. 31 Planes of Existence

33. 31 Planes of Existence

34. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

35. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

36. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

37. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

38. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

39. 31 Planes of Existence Literal view : These are actual places of existence. Psychological view : These are states of mind. Composite view : These are states of mind pertaining to the 31 Planes, leading eventually to rebirth in one of these 31 Planes.

40. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

41. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

42. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

43. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

44. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

45. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

46. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

47. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

48. Consciousness / Cittas - Roots

49. Consciousness / Cittas - Types Intention (Kamma) Resultant (Vipaka) Functional (Kriya)

50. Consciousness / Cittas - Types Intention (Kamma) Resultant (Vipaka) Functional (Kriya)