Introduction to Dhammasangani

by U Ko Lay | 1993 | 7,776 words

By The Editorial Committee - Translation Section Department for the Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yangoon, Myanmar, 1995 supplied by http://www.nibbana.com This introduction in a way may be regarded as a brief introduction to the Abhidhamma Pitaka as a whole. It is in two parts. The first part is about Abhi...

Division II - Rupa Kanda

Division Concerning Corporeality

Abyakata dhamma ( neither meritorious nor demeritorious dhamma) included vipaka (resultant), kiriya (non-causative action), rupa (Corporeality) and Nibbana. Out of these four dhammas only vipaka and kiriya are dealt with in the Cittuppada Kanda. Of the remaining two dhammas , Corporeality is dealt with in this division, Rupa Kanda.

Nibbana is left out from detailed consideration as it is unique by itself needing no analysis into sub-divisions.

Different Methods of Exposition of Corporeality

There are eleven methods of Exposition of Corporeality.

In the first method, Corporeality is viewed as a whole and is described in forty-three expressions, each expression embodying a single characteristic.

In the second method, Corporeality is viewed as being of two kinds, e.g.,

  1. dependent Corporeality,
  2. non-dependent Corporeality.

There are 104 such sets.

In the third method, Corporeality is viewed as being of three kinds, e.g.,

  1. Internal dependent Corporeality,
  2. External dependent Corporeality,
  3. External non- dependent Corporeality,

There are 103 such sets.

In the fourth method, Corporeality is viewed as being of four kinds, e.g.,

  1. Dependent Corporeality which is the result of a deed.
  2. Dependent Corporeality which is not the result of a deed,
  3. Non-dependent Corporeality which is the result of a deed.
  4. Non-dependent Corporeality which is not the result of a deed.

There are 22 such sets.

In the fifth method, sixth method,. .. eleventh method, Corporeality is viewed as being of five kinds, of six kinds .... of eleven kinds respectively.

The number of different kinds of Corporeality as described above can be reduced to 27 by taking only one each of terms of identical nature. In the Abhidhammattha Sangaha 28 kinds of Corporeality are mentioned. But in the Dhammasahgani only 27 kinds of Corporeality are mentioned leaving out hadayavatthu.

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