Kathāvatthu, the Fifth Book

The Fifth book of the Abhidhamma is the Kathāvatthu (Translated as “ Points of Controversy”). Its commentary has been translated as “The Debates Commentary”, P.T.S.) This book which is a treatise against schismatic monks has been composed by Moggali-putta-tissa. It was recited at the third Buddhist Council. The First Buddhist Council was held by fivehundred arahats headed by the Venerable Mahā kassapa in Rā jagaha shortly after the Buddha passed away. Here the Abhidhamma Pi ṭ aka was also included along with the Vinaya and Suttanta. The Second Buddhist Council was held by sevenhundred arahats headed by the Venerable Mahāyasa one century after the Buddha’s passing away. The version of the Texts in the First Buddhist Council was re-approved or re-affirmed. The Third Buddhist Council was convened by King Asoka at Pataḷiputta, about 240 B.C. Thousand Arahats were headed by Moggaliputta-Tissa Thera who preached the Kathāvatthu treatise against schismatic monks. At that time there were seventeen schismatic schools. Thereupon, the Abhidhamma-Piṭaka reached its completeness and became seven books. The Kathāvatthu consists of questions and answers, it is a dialogue between the sakavādin (theravada) and the opponent. For example, the first question is: ‘Is there, in the absolute sense, any personality (puggala) to be found?’. In the teachings the term person is used in figurative speech, in conventional sense, but in the ultimate sense there is no person. Schismatic monks believed that a person really existed. Similar questions about the person or the world are raised today. We read, for instance, about questions on rebirth. The opponent thinks: ‘the person transmigrates’. The Sakavādin asks whether it is the identical person who transmigrates or a different person. Or, the question is asked (Ch VIII, 75) whether there is an intermediate stage between the end of a lifespan and the beginning of the next life at rebirth. This book covers a wide range of subjects, and each question is viewed from various angles. We read about speculative questions with regard to the Dependent Origination, the four Truths, kamma and result, emancipation, arahats, the future and the present, destinies, impermanence, jhāna attainments, insight and many other subjects. Such questions can remind us that so long as understanding of the dhamma appearing at this moment is not being developed stage by stage, there will always be doubt and ignorance of the truth.