Email Hon Sing.
Abhidhamma is the perhaps least studied among the Buddhist's three
collections of text (called the Tipitaka). This however does
not make Abhidhamma any less enlightening or important. In fact the
study of Abhidhamma directly brings the reader to a confrontation of his
or her own psychology. Upon such confrontation, the reader experiences
for himself or herself how wholesome and unwholesome thoughts arise, and
how suffering is resulted. The reader can then directly work on eradicating
the seeds of unwholesome thoughts and strengthening the seeds of wholesome
thoughts. Furthermore the reader learns to calm his or her own psychology
against whatever tides of turbulence. This is the first step for
the reader towards attaining unconditional bliss despite being in a conditional
and changing world.
The teachings of Abhidhamma is really like a road map. The objective of a map, is to guide the traveler from a place to another. As the traveler uses the map, the traveler confirms the accuracy of the map. In the same way, as the practitioner practices Abhidhamma, he or she confirms the teachings of Abhidhamma. Thus in this way, the authenticity of the Abhidhamma is of less importance. It does not matter whether Buddha said the original words, or even whether Buddha existed. It does not matter who the author of the Abhidhamma was. When the practitioner meets with doubt, the practitioner discusses his or her concerns with other practitioners. In fact many times, the practitioner will discover new things. This is part of the joy of practicing Abhidhamma. In other words, the practitioner must adopt a free-inquiry attitude towards the teachings. This also means that the practitioner needs some background in basic Buddhist beliefs.
Ironically Abhidhamma provides a last set of spiritual concepts and beliefs to end the attachment to all spiritual concepts and beliefs, including even the Abhidhamma set. Our psychology reacts to the world through concepts and beliefs. Through concepts and beliefs, our psychology is aroused; through concepts and beliefs our psychology is pacified. Alas, concepts and beliefs are but conditional. Hence to attain unconditional bliss, no set of concepts and beliefs would suffice. Abhidhamma provides the 'last' set of concepts and beliefs to guide the practitioner into directly experiencing his or her own psychology. Upon the experience, the practitioner becomes a close friend with his or her own psychology. The practitioner does not control the psychology, nor can the psychology control the friend. Thus the practitioner does not need concepts and beliefs to pacify the psychology, nor can the psychology use concepts and beliefs to control the practitioner. The practitioner finally becomes free of concepts and beliefs, and attain unconditional wisdom.
The following notes entitled 'A First Look At Abhidhamma' is but a scratch
at the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, it allows the reader a glimpse
into Abhidhamma, and perhaps even begin to become a practitioner.
The notes is dedicated to all those who seek the end of suffering.
May you find the teachings of Abhidhamma benefitial to you.
-- by Hon Sing Lee. Last modified: Jan 26, 2004.
Email Hon Sing.