Different Scholars notions on Abhidhamma

The Buddha's teachings, contained in the 'Tipitaka' (Three Baskets) are the Vinaya the Suttanta and the Abhidhamma.

As regards the Abhidhamma, this is an explanation of all realities in detail. 'Abhi' literally means 'higher', thus ' Abhidhamma' means 'higher dhamma'.The Abhidhamma Pitaka consists of seven books:

1. Dhammasangani (-saṅgaṇi or -saṅgaṇī)
2. Vibhanga (vibhaṅga)
3. Dhatukatha (dhātukathā)
4. Puggalapannatti (-paññatti)
5. Kathavatthu (kathā-)
6. Yamaka
7. Patthana (paţţhāna)

Abhidhamma has been variously described as philosophy, psychology, metaphysics etc. Therefore, we can find various scholars notions on Abhidhamma.

L. S. Cousins says that the Abhidhamma methodology looks at things in terms of occasions or events instead of sequences or processes.

Scholars, however, generally date the Abhidhamma works to originating sometime around the third century BCE, 100 to 200 years after the death of the Buddha. Therefore, scholars not to represent the words of the Buddha himself, but those of disciples and scholars generally claim the seven Abhidhamma works.

Dr Rupert Gethin however said that important elements of Abhidhamma methodology probably go back to the Buddha's lifetime.

A. K. Warder and Dr Peter Harvey both suggested early dates for the matikas on which most of the Abidhamma books are based. Abhidhamma started out as elaboration of the suttas, but later developed independent doctrines.

According to K.Sri Dhammananda Abhidhamma is the analytical doctrine of mental faculties and elements.

Mrs.Rhys David rightly says Abhidhamma deals with

1.      What we find                   1.within us                   2.around us

2.      What we aspire to find.

Ven.Vasaubandhu explain that Abhidhamma is the in defied and it concomitant.

Asanga interpret that Abhidhamma Abhidhamma in four ways

1.      The dhamma which is encountering Nibbana

2.      the dhamma which is analytical

3.      The dhamma which is devoid of the converse views

4.      The dhamma, which is progressive

According to the Mahasanghika the term Abhidhamma it because it wisdom lights the all worldly doctrine.

Ven. Dhammadipa introduce Abhidhamma as A summary of a summary

Ven Buddhaghosa explain Abhidhamma as in  Samantapasadka

                                        Yam uattam uddimanto-salakkhana pajita paricchinna

                                         uttadhika ca dhamma-abhidhammo tera akkhato

Ven. Buddhaghosa, the great Pāli commentator, defines the term ‘Abhidhamma’ as – ‘that which exceeds and is distinguished from the Dhamma’. Abhidhamma, therefore, holistically conveys the meaning of ‘special/supplementary teachings of the Buddha’.

Again Buddhaghosa in Atthasalini explain that Abhivisittha dhammo Abhidhammo. In Manorathapurani Abhidhammoti uattama dhamma katha. In Papancasudani Abhidhammeti Abhivisitthidhammi imesu sattimsa bodhipakkiya dhammesuti atha.