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Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
A lucid explanation of the basic contours of the Theravada Abhidamma system for serious students of Buddhist thought.
The renowned Sri Lankan scholar Y. Karunadasa examines Abhidhamma perspectives on the nature of phenomenal existence. He begins with a discussion of dhamma theory, which describes the bare phenomena that form the world of experience. He then explains the Abhidhamma view that only dhammas are real, and that anything other than these basic phenomena are conceptual constructs. This, he argues, is Abhidhamma’s answer to common-sense realism—the mistaken view that the world as it appears to us is ultimately real.
Among the other topics discussed are
The volume concludes with an appendix that examines why the Theravada came to be known as Vibhajjavada, “the doctrine of analysis.”
Not limiting himself to abstract analysis, Karunadasa draws out the Abhidhamma’s underlying premises and purposes. The Abhidhamma provides a detailed description of reality in order to identify the sources of suffering and their antidotes—and in doing so, to free oneself.
The renowned Sri Lankan scholar Y. Karunadasa examines Abhidhamma perspectives on the nature of phenomenal existence. He begins with a discussion of dhamma theory, which describes the bare phenomena that form the world of experience. He then explains the Abhidhamma view that only dhammas are real, and that anything other than these basic phenomena are conceptual constructs. This, he argues, is Abhidhamma’s answer to common-sense realism—the mistaken view that the world as it appears to us is ultimately real.
Among the other topics discussed are
- the theory of double truth (ultimate and conceptual truth),
- the analysis of mind,
- the theory of cognition,
- the analysis of matter,
- the nature of time and space,
- the theory of momentary being, and
- conditional relations.
The volume concludes with an appendix that examines why the Theravada came to be known as Vibhajjavada, “the doctrine of analysis.”
Not limiting himself to abstract analysis, Karunadasa draws out the Abhidhamma’s underlying premises and purposes. The Abhidhamma provides a detailed description of reality in order to identify the sources of suffering and their antidotes—and in doing so, to free oneself.
Product Details
- Publisher: Wisdom Publications (August 27, 2019)
- Length: 472 pages
- ISBN13: 9781614294535
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Raves and Reviews
“Professor Y. Karunadasa, a leading living authority on Theravada Abhidhamma, clarifies this ancient philosophy and brings it within the reach of students pursuing both religious and philosophical studies. Professor Karunadasa’s characteristic clarity of thinking makes this a lucid exposition of the core doctrinal tenets of the Theravada Abhidhamma. It is of course true that it is the nature of conditioned reality that this work seeks to expound. However, as Buddhism stresses, it is by penetrating the nature of conditioned reality that the unconditioned reality of nibbana can be realized.”
– Asanga Tilakaratne, (formerly) Senior Chair, Professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
“This volume is an outstanding, in-depth study of the Theravada Abhidhamma. Professor Karunadasa has dissected and clarified the core doctrinal issues of the Abhidhamma philosophy, psychology, and ethics in a lucid and readable manner.”
– Guang Xing, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong and author of The Concept of the BuddhaGuang Xing, Director, Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong, author of The Concept of the Buddha: Its Evolution from Early Buddhism to the
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