Process of Consciousness and Matter - Abhidhamma.com

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INTRODUCTION In Buddhism a human being is regarded as being mind and matter and nothing else.Therefore, the Abhidhamma looks at mind and matter in great detail 3 . In fact when we see what we call a “human being”, we are really seeing a manifestation of a deeper underlying reality, i.e. that certain mental and material phenomena have combined together. The Abhidhamma enumerates 28 different kinds of matter, and also describes subtle particles known as kalāpas. These subtle particles cannot be seen with the naked eye or felt by touch but one can experience them in the body as qualities or energies. The Abhidhamma describes how states of consciousness, states of mind and states of matter arise and pass away millions of time each second. One whose mind is developed through the practice of meditation can experience these realities, how they arise and pass away on a moment by moment basis. In fact during each moment the consciousnesses and material elements arise and pass away many millions of times. Someone who does not know about the Abhidhamma will have great difficulty understanding this incredibly rapid process. To draw another analogy with modern science we could say that if one reads a book on theoretical physics, then one could develop a better understanding of say the structure of the atom. However, to pursue this analogy with science a little further, we must realise that the knowledge of the theoretical physicist is just that, it is only theoretical intellectual knowledge. It is only when the physicist uses the correct equipment (such as a particle accelerator) to directly observe matter, that they will actually have direct experience of the phenomena of the material world that they so wants to understand. A biologist or a biochemist must go to the laboratory and use a microscope or some other equipment, in order to actually see for themselves the microbes and complex molecular structures that they have learned about in the lecture theatre. In a similar way, if one studies the Abhidhamma, then yes, certainly one’s intellectual understanding of the realities that it talks about in such fine detail will certainly deepen. However, it is only by 4
INTRODUCTION the practice of meditation that these realities can actually be experienced. In this book I am trying to explain the process of consciousness and matter according to the Abhidhamma teachings. I fully appreciate that a reader who does not have some prior knowledge of the language and terminology, in which the Abhidhamma is expressed, will not be able to understand what I have to say. It is rather like someone who has not studied mathematics trying to read a theoretical treatise on quantum mechanics, which is chock full of mathematical equations and abstract terminology that may seriously discourage him. However, it is my hope that if the reader puts in the necessary groundwork and studies the Abhidhamma seriously, their understanding will gradually deepen. Abhidhamma Studies Those readers who are Buddhists, or have had at least some prior contact with Buddhism, will know that the Abhidhamma represents a very important (if rather difficult) part of the Buddha’s teachings. On the other hand, many people for whom Buddhism is such a tremendous source of inspiration have not actually studied the Abhidhamma and so have not been able to benefit from its wisdom. However, as Buddhism spreads all over the world, I am finding that there is renewed interest in the Abhidhamma. I know many groups in Europe, America and Asia who are now studying the Abhidhamma very enthusiastically. In the early 1990s Bhikku Bodhi asked me to write a short introduction to his book A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma. The book was subsequently published in 1993 by the Buddhist Publication Society of Sri Lanka. He had specifically asked me for only a very brief note, since he knew that my own book on the subject (written in Hindi) was very long, over 1000 pages. Bhikku Bodhi’s book was greatly welcomed by Western students of the Abhidhamma, and has been reprinted several times. One aspect of A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma is that it describes the process of consciousness only very briefly, based 5
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Page 4 and 5: Triple Gem Publications 2295 Parkvi
Page 6 and 7: CHAPTER II PROCESS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Page 8 and 9: Dull-Witted Beginner’s Jhānic Pr
Page 10 and 11: Tables 144-159 1. Process of Kalāp
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Page 14 and 15: TERMS USED AND TABLES Five-Door Cog
Page 17: PREFACE Whenever I reach the Abhidh
Page 21: DR REWATA DHAMMA Born in Myanmar in
Page 24 and 25: INTRODUCTION liberation we have to
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II. PROCESS OF CONSCIOUSNESS Howeve
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II. PROCESS OF CONSCIOUSNESS experi
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III. MIND-DOOR COGNITIVE PROCESS of
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IV. ABSORPTION JAVANA IN THE MIND-D
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CHAPTER V PROCESS OF MATTER Rūpa-M
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER eighteen mater
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER itthibhāvadas
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER octad: consist
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER Consciousness-
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER conditioned te
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER kalāpas alrea
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V. PROCESS OF MATTER However, the t
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TABLES 12 Bhavanga 13 Bhavanga 14 B
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TABLES Citta Arising 190 17 206 413
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TABLES Javana Javana Javana Registe
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TABLES 408 6 51 466 931 408 6 51 46
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TABLES Bhavanga Arising 408 13 51 4
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TABLES Javana Registering Registeri
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NOTES 3. PD 122 See Vibhv. 105 4. S
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NOTES 10. For more details see the
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Abhidhammatthasanghaha
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PĀLI-ENGLISH GLOSSARY akusala - un
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PĀLI-ENGLISH GLOSSARY opapātika -
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PĀLI-ENGLISH GLOSSARY tatramajjhat
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PĀLI-ENGLISH GLOSSARY manasikāra
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PĀLI-ENGLISH GLOSSARY process disc
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INDEX 86, 88, 99, 104 change of lin
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INDEX eye consciousness (cakkhuviñ
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INDEX life-faculty (jāvitindriya)
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INDEX power of creating forms and f
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INDEX stream of bhavanga 42, 44, 49
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The following reflections are extra
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LIST OF MYANMAR MONASTERIES ABROAD
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19. Dhammaramsi 42-15 74 th Street
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37. Progressive Buddhist Associatio
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55. Washington State Buddhist Assoc
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5. Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centr
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(NOTE: For a complete list of Myanm
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$41 *Mr. Thulangit Mahindara Wizzas
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