Abhidhamma (Pali)

By Prof. Bimalendra Kumar | Professor, Department Of Pāli And Buddhist Studies, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Learners enrolled: 1012

About the Course :

Abhidhamma (Pali) is a four-credit course of 15 weeks duration. In this MOOCs on Abhidhamma, there are forty modules discussing the different aspects of Abhidhamma based on the texts of Abhidhamma Piṭaka and its commentaries. These modules can be considered the culmination of the entire Abhidhamma system as it offers a thorough study of the origin and development of Abhidhamma, explanations of the concepts based on Abhidhamma. It also gives an insight to understand the knotty problems of the mind and body relationship as well as framework for the practice of meditation leading to realization of a state of eternal bliss.

The course deals with detailed explanations of four reals namely consciousness (citta), psychic factors (cetasika), material qualities (rūpa) and a state of eternal bliss (nibbāna). Moreover, it also presents some selected controversial doctrines of importance, such as the Bhavaṅga and Ālayavijñāna, Anusaya and Kliṣṭamanovijñāna, Concept of Hadayavatthu, Controversies of Kathāvatthu, Similarities of Kathāvatthu and Milindapañho etc. The discussion on these controversies will mainly be based on the texts of Abhidhamma Piṭaka, its commentaries and manuals of Abhidhamma namely Abhidhammattha-saṅgaho, Abhidhammāvatāra, Saccasaṅkhepa and other works. By studying these controversies, the students will gain a deeper insight into the doctrinal and spiritual concerns of the ancient masters, and how these concerns fervently stimulated progressive articulation and development of Buddhist thoughts.

Assessment: 100% coursework

Pre-requisite for the course:-

Graduation in any subject with the knowledge of English as medium of instruction, interest in Buddhist studies.

Course type: core or elective: :-
Open Elective

Estimated work load every week:-
8 to 12 hours. (Watching videos, reading module contents- (2 or 3 every week), attempting questions and reading related reference materials.)

Total assignments allotted for the course (Indicate Graded assignments (which contain marks) and non-graded (those non-marks)): -
In all fifteen assignments (one assignment per week) and 15 assignments without marks. In addition, there will be five long essay type assignments (One assignment every three weeks). Out of them three assignments will be graded and two non-graded.

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	15 weeks
Category :	Multidisciplinary
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	01 Aug 2023
End Date :	14 Nov 2023
Enrollment Ends :	31 Aug 2023
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Week wise schedule (including the assignment to be kept in the week) :-

Week 1
1. `Origin and Development of the Abhidhamma
2. Classification of Buddha Vacana and Abhidhamma
3. Mind And Matter in Abhidhamma

Week 2
4. An Introduction of Lokiya Citta
5. An Introduction of Consciousness (Citta) on the basis of Jāti (Class)
6. An Introduction Kusala Citta

Week 3
7. An Introduction of Vipāka Citta and Kiriyā Citta
8. An Introduction of Functions Of Consciousness (Citta-Kiccāni)

Week 4
9. Concept of Psychic Factors (Cetasika)
10. The Process of Consciousness (Citta-Vīthi)
11. A Study of Apperception Consciousness (Javana Citta)

Week 5
12. Material Quality (Rūpa) in Theravāda Abhidhamma
13. The Four Generating Principles (Samuṭṭhāna)and Grouping (kalāpa) of Material Qualities (Rūpa)

Week 6
14. Concept of Rūpa as depicted in the Dhammasaṅgaṇi
15. Nibbāna in Theravāda Abhidhamma

Week 7
16. An Introduction to the Dhammasaṅgaṇi
17. An Introduction of Establishment of Mātikā (Matrix) in Dhammasaṅgaṇi
18. Explanations of a few tika and duka mātika-s

Week 8
19. ` An Outline of the Kathāvatthuppakaraṇa
20. Comprehensive Analysis of Style and Methodology of the Kathāvatthuppakaraṇa

Week 9
21. Moggaliputtatissatthera as Great Exponent of Abhidhamma
22. Life History of Moggaliputta Tissa Thera
23. Comparative Study of Kathāvatthu and Milindapañho

Week10
24. An Introduction to the Paṭṭhānappakaraṇa
25. Treatment of the Dhammas in the Paṭṭhāna-Pakaraṇa

Week 11
26. Morality (Sīla) in Theravāda Buddhism
27. Concentration (Samādhi) in Theravāda Buddhism
28. Seven Stages of Purification (Satta Visuddhi)

Week 12
29. Bodhipakkhiyā- Dhammā with Special Emphasis To Noble Eight-Fold Path
30. Karma And Rebirth In Theravāda Abhidhamma
31. Concept of Anatta in Abhidhamma

Week 13
32. Concept of Karuṇā in Abhidhamma
33. Paṭisambhidā and Sāgara as depicted in the Aṭṭhasālini
34. Concept of Heart-Base (Hadayavatthu)

Week 14
35. Concept of Akusala Dhamma
36. Concept of Saṃyojana
37. Nivaraṇa

Week 15
38. Introduction to Akusalakammapatha
39. Anusaya And Kliṣṭamanovijñāna In Theravāda And Vijñānavāda Abhidharma Tradition
40. Position Of Laity (Upāsaka) As Depicted In Abhidhamma Texts

Books and references

Primary Sources:

1) Arthaviniścayasūtra Nibandhanam (Ed.) N. H. Samtani, K.P. Jaysawal Research Institute, Patna, 1971.

2) Abhidhammatthasaṅgaho with Navanītaṭīkā (Ed.) Dharmananda Kosambi, Maha Bodhi Society of India, Sarnath, Varanasi and Buddhist World Press, Delhi, 2017.

3) Abhidhammatthasaṅgaho and Abhidhammatthavibhāvanīṭīkā (Ed.) Bhadanta Revatadharma, Bauddha Svadhyaya Satra, Varanasi, Fifth Edition, 1965.

4) Aṭṭhasālini, (Ed.) P.V. Bapat and R.D. Vadekar, Poona, 1940.

5) Aṭṭhasālinī (Ed.) Ram Shankar Tripathy, Sampoornanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, 1989.

6) Bodhicaryāvatāra of Śāntideva (Ed.) P.L. Vaidya, TheMithila Institute, Darbhanga, 1988.

7) Dhammapada, (Ed. & Tr.) Sanghasen Singh, Delhi University, Delhi, 1977.

8) Dhammasaṅgaṇi (Ed.) Bhikkhu Jagdish Kashyap, Nalanda Edition, Nalanda, 1960.

9) Dīghanikāya Vol. III, Vipassana Research Research Institute, Igatpuri, 1993.

10) Dīghanikāya Vol. II & III, (ed.) Bhikkhu J. Kashyap, Nalanda Edition, Nalanda, 1958.

11) History of Researches in Indian Buddhism, N. N. Bhattacarya, Munsiram Manoharla Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, 1981.

12) Majjhimanikāya, Vol. I, II, & III, (Ed.) Bhikkhu J. Kassapa, Nalanda Edition, Nalanda, 1960.

13) Pañcappakaraṇa-aṭṭhakathā, (Ed.) Mahesh Tiwary, Nalanda Edition, Nalanda, 1971.

14) Paṭisambhidāmagga, (Ed.) Bhikkhu J. Kassapa, Nalanda Edition, Nalanda, 1960.

15) Samantapāsādikā, Vol. I (Ed.) Birbal Sharma, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, 1964.

16) Suhrllekha and its commentary (Ed.) Pema Tenzin, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi, 2002.

17) Visuddhimagga (Paramatthamañjūsā sahita) Vol.I, II, & III, (Ed.) Revatadhamma, Sampurnanad Sanskrit University, Varanasi, 1969, 1972

18) Visuddhimagga, Vol. I & II, Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri, 1998.

Secondary Sources:

1. Bodhi, Bhikkhu. (2000). Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma: The Abhidhammattha Sangha of Acariya Anuruddha. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.

2. त्रिपाठी, रामाशंकर. (1991). अभिधम्मत्थसङ्गहो (भाग 1-2). वाराणसी: सम्पूर्णानन्द संस्कृत वि¬श्व¬¬विद्यालय.

3. Karunadasa, Y. (2010). The Theravāda Abhidhamma: Its Inquiry into the Nature of Conditioed Reality. Hong Kong: Centre of Buddhist Studies, the University of Hong Kong.

4. Aung, S.Z. and Davids, Mrs. Rhys. (1910). Compendium of Philosophy (TR. Of Ads.). London: PTS.

5. Kashyap, Bhikkhu J. (1982). The Abhidhamma Philosophy vol. II. Delhi: Bhartiya Vidya Prakashan.

6. Pande, G. C., Buddhism, Centre for Studies in Civilizations, New Delhi, 2013.

7. Dutta, Nalinaksha and Bajpai, Krishna Datta, Development of Buddhism in Uttar Pradesh, Publication Bureau, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, First Edition, 1996.

8. Bodhi, Bhikkhu, A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma (The Abhidhammatthasaṅgaho of Ācariya Anuruddha), Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, Third Edition, 2006.

9. Davids, Mrs. Rhys, Compendium of Philosophy, The Pali Text Society, Oxford, 1995.

10. Gethin, R. M. L., The Buddhist Path of Awakening, One world Publications, Oxford, England, 2001.

11. Hajime Nakamura Indian Buddhism: A Survey with Bibliographical Notes (Ed.), Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, Delhi, 1989.

12. Kalupahana, D. J., A History of Buddhist Philosophy, Motilal Banarasidass Publishers, Delhi, First Edition, 1994.

13. Maha Thera, Piyadassi, The Seven Factors of Enlightenment, Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1980.

14. Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu, The Path of Purification (Visuddhimagga by Bhadantācariya Buddhaghosa), The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.

15. Ronkin, Noa, Early Buddhist metaphysics (The Making of Philosophical Tradition), Routledge Curzon, London, First Edition, 2005.

16. Sayadaw, Ledi Mahathera, Bodhipakkhiya-Dīpanī -The Manuals of Buddhism (The Exposition of the Buddha-Dhamma), Department of Religious Affairs, Rangoon, Burma, 1981.

17. Sharma, Brahmadeo Narayan Sharma, Vibhajjavāda, Sampurnanand, Saskrit University, Varanasi, 2004.

18. Tiwary, Mahesh, Śīla, Samādhi and Prajñā (The Buddha’s Path of Purification), K. P. Jayasawal Research Institute, Patna, 1987.

19. Wijeratne, R. P. and Gethin, Rupert, Summary of the Topics of Abhidhamma (Abhidhammatthasaṅgaho by Anuruddha) and Exposition of the Topics of Abhidhamma Abhidhammatthavibhāvanī by Sumaṅgala), The Pali Text Society, Oxford, 2002.

20. ‘The Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment’ by Peter Della Santina in the The Maha Bodhi Journal Vol. 98, January-June, 1990, No-6s. 1.

Instructor bio

Prof. Bimalendra Kumar

Professor, Department Of Pāli And Buddhist Studies, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Prof. BIMALENDRA KUMAR started his academic career as a Lecturer in the Department of Indo-Tibetan Studies, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan (W.B.) in November 1991. He joined the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in July, 1998 and at present, he is Professor of Pali, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.) since November 2008. His publications include over eighty articles in various scholarly journals published from India and abroad. He has edited and authored ten books namely, Theory of Relations in Buddhist Philosophy (1998); Gandhavaṃsa: A History of Pali Literature (1992); Perspectives of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies (2005); Paṭṭhānuddesadīpanī (2005); Dāhtuvaṃso (2006); Dhamma-desanā: A Buddhist Perspective (Prof. Mahesh Tiwari Commemoration Volume) (2007) (jointly edited); Buddhism and Social Ideals (2009) (jointly edited); Meghadūta: Critical Edition with Sanskrit and Tibetan Index (2011) (jointly edited); Bhesajjamañjūsā 1-18 Paddhati (Devanagari Edition) (2015); Pali Vimarśa (2015); Bodhi: Recent Researches in Pali Studies (2016) (jointly edited) and Pariyatti: Studies in Pali Literature (2017) (jointly edited). He is the editor of Dharmadoot Journal and Mahabodhi Journal published by Maha Bodhi Society of India, Sarnath and Kolkata respectively.

He has presented research papers in more than hundred national/International seminars and conferences. He had academic visits to Portugal, U.K., West Germany, France, Mexico, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam and China. Twenty-seven research scholars have been awarded Ph.D. Degree under his supervision and presently eight scholars are working under his guidance for Ph.D. Degree course. He had been member of the Board of Studies, Examination Committees and Syllabus Revision Committee of some of the Indian Universities. He had been one of the members of the Advisory Committee of the Centre for Buddhist Studies, Arya Mahila P.G. Mahila College, Varanasi and member of the Board of Studies, Deptt. Of Indo-Tibetan Studies, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan (W.B.); Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda; He is also member of the General Council of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok, Sikkim. He has been awarded Viśeṣa Puraskāra on the text Bhesajjamañjūsā 1-18 Paddhati (Devanagari Edition) by Uttara Pradesha Sanskrit Academy, Lucknow (U.P.) for the year 2016.

Coordinator of the Course :-

Ven. Prof. (Dr.) Wangchuk Dorjee Negi

Vice Chancellor (Addl. charge).

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi

Professor Wangchuk Dorjee Negi is currently the Vice-Chancellor (Addl. charge) of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi.

Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi is currently the Vice Chancellor (Addl. Charge) of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi. He did his Acharya (MA) in Buddhist Philosophy from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath and PhD (Buddhist Philosophy) from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He is a Professor of Indian Buddhist Philosophy in the Department of Mool Shastra, Faculty of Hetu Evam Adhyatma Vidya at CIHTS, Sarnath. He is the Dean of the Faculty of Hetu Evam Adhyatman Vidya and Director of R&D Cell of the Institute. His teaching area involves tenets of the four Indian Buddhist Philosophical Schools: Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Sautrantika and Vaibhashika; Buddhist Pramana; and Buddhist Ethics. His research interest includes Buddhist Tantra and Buddhist Hermeneutical works.

Prof. Negi was the Vice Chancellor (Addl. Charge) of CIHTS, Sarnath from 2-12-2021 to 12-04-2022 and the Director of Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, Ladakh from 2010 to 2015. As a Visiting Professor under Exchange Programs, he has taught at University of Tasmania, Australia and Smith College & Hampshire College, MA, USA. He has also visited as a Research Guide at Taisho University, Japan and as a Visiting Faculty for the Survey of Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscripts in Okayama, Japan. Prof. Negi has represented India (Nominated by Govt. of India) in SAARC Regional & Cultural Seminar in Sri Lanka and ICCR Seminar in Cambodia. Additionally, in the capacities of Resource Person and Dharma Teacher, he has visited Universities and Dharma Centers in Chile, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Burma.

As their Indian Advisor, he has guided several Fulbright Research Scholars from USA, Europe etc. though USIEF & AIIS, New Delhi. He has got several books to his credit which includes What is Buddhism (English, 2016) (also translated into Spanish and Chinese), Commentary on Dhammapada (Hindi, 2010) (also translated into Tibetan 2014 and Bengali 2012); Commentary on Dhammapada in the Context of Modern Time (English, 2013); Vajrayana Darshan Evam Sadhana (Hindi, 1998); Vajrayana Darshan Mimansa (Sanskrit, 2009); Prajnaparamita-Hrdaya-Sutra-Sputartha-Bhashya - Commentary on Heart Sutra (Hindi, 2019); translated & edited works in Hindi/Sanskrit; and several papers/chapters published in various journals and anthologies.

Publications/ Conferences:

Books 8:

Monographs:

1. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Prajnaparamita-hrdaya-sutra-sputartha-bhashya (Commentary on Heart Sutra), Published by Kunphel Ling, Taiwan, 2019. Print, Hindi. ISBN PB 9788193625460

2. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. What Is Buddhim. Third Edition. Dehra Dun: Songtsen Library, 2016. Print, English. ISBN 978-81922829-3-0. Second Edition 2014, First Edition 2010 (Translated into Spanish 2017; Chinese 2016)

3. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Dhammapada: Commentary in the Context of Modern Time. Varanasi: CIHTS, 2013. Print, English. ISBN HB 979380282374, PB 979380282381

4. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Vajrayāna Darśana Mīmāṁsā (An Analysis of Vajrayana Philosophy). Varanasi: CIHTS, 2009. Print, Sanskrit. ISBN HB 9788187127857, PB 9788187127864

5. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Commentary on Dhammapada in Hindi. Third Edition. Taipei: CBBEF, 2010. Print, Hindi. Second Edition 2006, First Edition 2003 (Translated into Tibetan 2014; Bengali 2012; Translating into Sinhalese) http://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/IIT01.pdf

6. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Vajrayāna Darśana Evam Sādhana (Theory and Practice of Vajrayana). Varanasi: CIHTS, 1998. Print, Hindi. ISBN HB 9789380282879, PB 9789380282886 [Reprint 2017]

Translations:

7. Introduction to Buddhism by H.H. Dalai Lama - Hindi Translation. Translator. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee, Varanasi: 2010

8. Kagyu Sangha Mahapranidhana Paat Sankalan - Hindi Translation. Co-Translator. Negi, Wangchuk Dorjee. Dharamsala: Dophen Tsuklag Petun Khang, 2007

Books Published as co-editor in RBTRU, CIHTS, Sarnath, Varanasi: 5

Published Chapters/Articles: 56 (Internation 12; National 44)

Teaching Assistant for the Course:-

Dr. Animesh Prakash

Animesh Prakash is Ph.D. in Pāli language from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor in Pāli at the CIHTS, Sarnath. Previously, he was serving as an Assistant Professor in Pāli at K J Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies, Mumbai. His research focuses on “the application of Vipassanā in Psycho-therapy.” He has been also trained in Classical Tibetan language at the RYI, Kathmandu University and at the HKU, Hong-Kong. He has published a book titled as “Taming the Serpent King Nandopananda in Pāli and Tibetan Canon” in 2021.

email: animeshatcuts@gmail.com

Mob. No. 9598451704.

Dr. Shailendra Kumar Singh

Dr Shailendra Kumar Singh did his BA Hons. in Pali, MA in Pali and Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Presently he is working as Assistant Professor, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005 (U.P.).

email: shailbhu177@gmail.com,

Mob. No. 9415885201.

Course certificate

The Interested Learners (Students, Working Professionals, and Life-Long Learners) can enroll and learn this MOOC course for free.

If you want to get SWAYAM Certificate for this course, you have to register for SWAYAM Examination and write the proctored examination conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA: https://swayam.nta.ac.in/) in its various exam centres across India. The SWAYAM examination fee for this course is Rs. 1000, to be paid at the time of Exam registration.

Marks Distribution:

In this course, 30 Marks will be allocated for Internal Assessment (assignment/ discussion forum/ activity) and 70 Marks will be allocated for external proctored examination.

A minimum of 40 % passing marks (i.e. at-least 12 marks in Internal Assessment & 28 Marks in external proctored examination) will be required for being eligible for SWAYAM Certificate.

Kindly note:- The students enrolled in Universities/Institutions/Colleges can avail Credit Transfer as per UGC SWAYAM Regulations, 2021 for this course. The Host University for this Credit Transfer will be Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi.

Mode of Exam : Computer Based Test Conducted by Government of India Agency's i.e. National Testing Agency (NTA).

SWAYAM Helpline / Support