Chapter 8, The Abhidharma, The Higher Teaching Summary and Analysis

The abhidharma is literally the "higher" Dharma. It refers to both a set of books thought to be the word of the Buddha, the Abhidharma Pitaka and a system of thought and exegesis laid down in these books and commentaries on them. It is thought out and taught by buddhas alone. Hearing it recited, understanding or not, can have a profound effect. The collections of seven books have two goals - articulating an exhaustive account of the world in terms of its constituents and works that concern areas of dispute that arise as a result. The canonicity of the Abhidharma has been challenged, but it has still had a deep impact. A number of Adhidharma manuals exist that the author discusses.

The author conceives of the Abhidharma as a system of...