Journey with the Abhidhamma

island

So many times I have heard someone say, "You have to read the Abhidhamma," and I would dutifully agree. Today I was in a bookshop getting some reading for my trip, scanning with slight boredom the Zen titles, when boom! There it was! The Comprehensive Manual of the Abhidhamma, with the Pali text, translation, and explanatory guide.

I am taking a course on Buddhist psychology in the Fall, but I am curious now and thought I might make a little adventure out of it. It doesn't look like light reading.

I thought I would keep track of the things I discover as I go along, just in case anyone is interested or knows this text.

upekka

island wrote: »

So many times I have heard someone say, "You have to read the Abhidhamma," and I would dutifully agree. Today I was in a bookshop getting some reading for my trip, scanning with slight boredom the Zen titles, when boom! There it was! The Comprehensive Manual of the Abhidhamma, with the Pali text, translation, and explanatory guide.

I am taking a course on Buddhist psychology in the Fall, but I am curious now and thought I might make a little adventure out of it. It doesn't look like light reading.

I thought I would keep track of the things I discover as I go along, just in case anyone is interested or knows this text.

please do

it is highly appreciated

retrofuturist

Greetings Island,

Did you find anything of relevance to suffering and its cessation?

Should we infer anything from your absence to come back with any worthwhile findings?

Metta,
Retro.

mettafou

don't get frustrated with that book too quickly. there's some interesting stuff in there. a lot to question too.

upekka

i said 'please do'

is not that enough!

PLEASE DO

mettafou

http://dhammawheel.com/viewforum.php?f=18&sid=4c30617c10e9de0519afdddf124cf982
here's the actual book: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/abhiman.html

armando

i think it's going to be quite the journey, island and it's kind of you to share. hang tough.

Deshy

island wrote: »

So many times I have heard someone say, "You have to read the Abhidhamma," and I would dutifully agree. Today I was in a bookshop getting some reading for my trip, scanning with slight boredom the Zen titles, when boom! There it was! The Comprehensive Manual of the Abhidhamma, with the Pali text, translation, and explanatory guide.

I am taking a course on Buddhist psychology in the Fall, but I am curious now and thought I might make a little adventure out of it. It doesn't look like light reading.

I thought I would keep track of the things I discover as I go along, just in case anyone is interested or knows this text.

I would think twice before reading Abhidhamma filled with speculative stories which seem like later additions no more acceptable and valid than the commentaries or sub commentaries. Just my opinion

Valtiel

Have you read it, Deshy?

Deshy

Little bit. Would you recommend me to read the whole thing?

Deshy

well?

retrofuturist

No

Valtiel

Sorry deshy, it's 6am and I've been sleeping. I've not read it. Haven't seen it online. But I will when I get the chance, and decide for myself whether to give it any weight or to treat it as an interesting piece of fiction. It just strikes me as odd to dismiss something, and to tell others not to even read it, when you yourself haven't.

Deshy

I have read it Mundus. Only I stopped in the middle. Didn't complete it. But of course, By all means, read for yourself and see. But I would not recommend it to anyone. That is just my personal opinion as I already said

jinzang

If you want to get enlightened, practice. If you want to know what enlightenment is, study Buddhist philosophy, including abhidharma.