The Dawn of Abhidharma, by
Anālayo
Hamburg University Press, Numata Center for Buddhist Studies
Hamburg Buddhist Studies Series 2
Published August 2014
This book is a companion to Bhikkhu Anālayo’s previous study of the
Genesis of the Bodhisattva Ideal. In the present book he turns to
another important aspect in the development of Buddhist thought: the
beginnings of the Abhidharma. Anālayo shows that the two main modes
generally held in academic circles to explain the arising of the
Abhidharma – the use of lists (mātrḳā) and the question-and-answer
format – are formal elements that in themselves are not characteristic
of Abhidharma thought. Going beyond the notion that the coming into
being of the Abhidharma can be located in such formal aspects, he shows
how the attempt to provide a comprehensive map of the teachings
gradually led to the arising of new terminology and new ideas. He
identifies the notion of the supramundane path as an instance where
fully fledged Abhidharma thought manifests in the discourses. Anālayo
concludes that what characterizes the Abhidharma is not the mere use of
dry lists and summaries, but rather a mode of thought that has gone
further (abhi-) than the Dharma taught in the early discourses in general.
For more information please see:
http://blogs.sub.uni-hamburg.de/hup/reihen/hamburg-buddhist-studies/
Prof. Dr. Michael Zimmermann
Numata Center for Buddhist Studies
Universität Hamburg
Alsterterrasse 1
D-20354 Hamburg
Germany
Tel.: +49-(0)40-42838-3384
Fax: +49-(0)32-12140-3031
Email: Michael.Zimmermann@uni-hamburg.de
http://www.buddhismuskunde.uni-hamburg.de/
