Resources for Abhidhamma — Advanced Buddhist Thought, Inquiry, Analysis and Psychology

After auditing the now public Abdhidhamma and Development of Buddhist Thought, part of Mid-America Buddhist Association’s Diploma in Pali and Buddhist Studies (DPBS) I was inspired to create this post. (If interested in checking out ongoing classes at MABA, please email to request free auditing, or please enroll).

Here’s some Abhidhamma resources, some of which were mentioned in class:

• https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/abhidharma
• http://abhidhamma.com
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhidharma
• https://suttacentral.net/abhidhamma
• Outline of Abhidhamma
• The Abhidhamma in Practice
• Dharma Seed Abhidhamma talks
• http://abhidharma.ru
• Keys to the Abhidhamma System
• Paramattha: Science Of The Inner Life — A Guidebook to Consciousness and a Modern Exposition of Ancient Buddhist Abhidhamma Teachings [PDF}
• RUKKHA MŪLA Abhidhamma tutorials
• Collection of Abhidhamma PDF resources including the original Pali texts and English translations [please contact me for access]
• What is the Abhidhamma and Abhidhamma Analysis of Consciousness [two talks by Ajahn Punnadhammo]
• Abhidhamma in Daily Life in articles and full free PDF
• Basic Abhidhamma: Understanding materiality (rūpa) #1
• Why and how is Theravada and Mahayana Abhidha(r)(m)ma different?
• https://arrowriver.ca/dhammatalks/talks23/427_TheIdeaOfTruth.mp3 [Abhidhamma context around 12 minutes]
• Books:
  • Introduction to the Abhidhamma by Nina van Gorkom or https://abhidhamma.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Introduction-to-the-Abhidhamma.pdf
  • Abhidhamma studies : Buddhist explorations of consciousness and time [various editions] by NYANAPONIKA THERA:
    • https://bps.lk/olib/bp/bp303s_Nyanaponika_Abhidhamma-Studies.pdf
    • https://dhammatalks.net/Books9/Nyanaponika_Thera_Abhidhamma_studies.pdf
    • https://archive.org/details/abhidhammastudie0000nyan/page/n5/mode/2up
  • Guide Through the Abhidhamma Piṭaka [various editions] by Nyanatiloka Mahāthera
    • https://bps.lk/olib/bp/bp302s_Nyanatiloka_Guide-to-Abhidamma.pdf
    • http://www.abhidhamma.com/Guide_Abhidhamma_pitaka.pdf
  • UNRAVELLING the MYSTERIES of MIND & BODY through ABHIDHAMMA by Sayalay Susila https://www.sayalaysusila.net/ebooks/english/UnravellingTheMysteriesOfMindBody-24122012.pdf

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• https://sarvastivadaclass.blogspot.com
• https://abhidharmakosa.wordpress.com
• https://sites.google.com/pamc.org.sg/drmondhamma

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I feel what’s below both relevant to include in this blog post and that it ought to be somewhat apparent by the answer why we still need seasoned Abhidhamma practitioners and even Dhamma teachers in general if going by ChatGPT‘s answer to “What are some of the most contested Abhidhamma questions?”:

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs. However, some of the most contested Abhidhamma questions among scholars and practitioners include:

1. The nature of consciousness: Whether consciousness is a momentary process or a continuous stream.
2. The concept of self: Whether there is a permanent self or soul that exists beyond the aggregates.
3. The role of karma: Whether karma is deterministic or whether it allows for free will.
4. The nature of nibbana: Whether nibbana is a state of cessation or an ultimate reality.
5. The relationship between mind and matter: Whether mind and matter are separate entities or whether they are interdependent.
6. The role of meditation: Whether meditation is necessary for attaining enlightenment or whether it is just a tool for developing concentration and mindfulness.
7. The concept of rebirth: Whether rebirth is literal or metaphorical, and how it relates to the concept of karma.

These are just a few examples, as there are many other questions and debates within Abhidhamma studies.