2001 Abhidhamma Jnr1 Part 2 Qn 5

Is Abhidhamma useful in Daily Life? Explain.

 

Abhidhamma…

• is the collection of the Buddha's teaching which forms the three baskets (Tipitaka) without which the teaching may not be complete.
• is a teaching about how the law of nature is working. The essential teaching in Abhidhamma is the three characteristics, namely anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering) and anatta (non-self) of this mind and body (nama and rupa).
• analyses mind and matter in minute details in terms of ultimate realities.
• Unlike the Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma is ultimate teaching as Buddha does not use conventional terms but instead uses language that denotes ultimate reality which are minutely analyzed  in their various combinations and classifications such as 5 bases, 12 aggregates etc
• provides material to enable the learner to correctly understand the Dhamma, particularly the doctrine of non-self (anatta).It provides a a clearly delineated map to guide Buddha’s disciples towards liberation or Nibanna.
• helps to foster spiritual growth; enhances insight into the real nature of experiences from simple mundane to  the highest mundane attainment. It helps us understand who we are, what we are, why we are and how we are.
• helps us to understand how and why beings suffer and are constantly trapped in repeated cycles of birth-death-rebirth or samsara.
• teaches why one has to be skillful in directing insight into one’s bodily speech and mental actions. If this is transformed into our daily lives, one can bring an end to one’s suffering.
• Knowledge of Abhidhamma helps us to practice insight meditation, though this is not a necessity
• explains causal relations- it pinpoints the root causes of miseries in the world and the ways to eradicate these miseries – through understanding of the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8-fold path
• Clearly defines human values, the moral code (the 5 precepts and 8 precepts), the eternal peace and the Noble 8-fold path leading to that peace.
• Also contains more Dhamma groups than Sutta Pitaka and Vinaya Pittaka and Buddha uses more numerous methods in expounding Abhidhamma than when he taught Sutta Pitaka

 

It has been said in the records that Abhidhamma will be the first of Buddha’s teachings  to disappear.  If Buddhists are encouraged to learn Abhidhamma, this may slow down the process. If no one pays attention to learning it, then there may come a day when no one really knows what the Buddha had taught in the Abhidhamma.