Thomas William Rhys Davids

“ As in the course of centuries the doctrine itself, in certain schools, varied, it was felt necessary to rewrite these secondary works. This was first done, so far as is at present known, by the Sarvāstivādins (Realists) , who in the century before and after Christ produced a fresh set of seven Abhidhamma books. These are lost in India, but still exist in Chinese translations. The translations have been analysed in a masterly way by Professor Takakusu in the article mentioned below. They deal only with psychological ethics. ”

“ ABHIDHAMHA,the name of one of the three Pitakas, or baskets of tradition, into which the Buddhist scriptures (see Buddhism) are divided. It consists of seven works: 1. Dhamma Sanganī (enumeration of qualities) . 2. Vibhanga (exposition) . 3. Kathā Vatthu (bases of opinion) . 4. Puggala Paññatti (on individuals) . 5. ”