Chapter 17
1 (a) The Abhidhamma tradition is a continuation of the Sutta tradition dealing with varied philosophical, moral, psychological and religious issues. Traditionally, the vast Abhidhammic literature has been put forth under seven heads, namely:
- Puggal Paññatti
- Dhātu Kathā
- Dhamma Sangaṇi
- Vibhanga
- Paṭṭhāna Pakarana
- Yamaka
- Kathāvatthu
Buddhaghoṣa wrote commentaries on all these. Upon these there are sub-commentaries and sub-sub commentaries and other expository literature like nissayas and ganthis.
(b) Prajñā amalā sānucarā abhidharma, pure wisdom along with its accompaniments, is abhidhamma. Abhidammakośa I.2
2 Dhamma iti svabhāva (dharma=svabhāva)
3 Kuśita's chalita gata apakrānta iti kuśatah. Prajñā vā kuśa iva tikṣṇeti kuśalaṅ; tam tanti adadata iti kuśalaṅ
4 Cittanti ārammaṇam cinteti ti cittam vijānāti ti attho. Aṭṭhaśālinī, p.161