Abhidhammas

Abhidhamma is the philosophical and psychological component of the Buddhist scriptures, the Pali Canon. It is the third basket of the Tipitaka, following the Vinaya Pitaka (monastic discipline) and the Sutta Pitaka (discourses of the Buddha). The word Abhidhamma itself is a compound of 'abhi' meaning "higher" or "special" and 'dhamma' meaning "teaching" or "truth." Thus, it can be understood as the "higher teaching" or "special truth."

The Abhidhamma is not a narrative but a systematic analysis of the nature of reality, focusing on the ultimate constituents of experience. It breaks down phenomena into fundamental elements, called dhammas, and meticulously categorizes them. These dhammas are understood as momentary, impermanent, and lacking an inherent self. The primary aim of studying Abhidhamma is to gain a deeper understanding of the Four Noble Truths, particularly the nature of suffering (dukkha), its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to cessation.

Key texts within the Abhidhamma Pitaka include the Dhammasangani, Vibhanga, Dhatukatha, Puggalapannatti, Kathavatthu, Yamaka, and the Patthana. These works delve into topics such as consciousness, mental factors, matter, and the causal relationships between them. Through its analytical approach, Abhidhamma seeks to provide a precise map of existence, enabling practitioners to dismantle the illusion of a permanent self and cultivate wisdom and liberation.