The Vibhaṅga, the Second Book of the Abhidhamma

The second book of the Abhidhamma is the Vibhaṅga, the Book of Analysis, and its commentary is the “Sammoha Vinodanī” , translated as the “Dispeller of Delusion” (P.T.S.). The Vibhaṅga gives an explanation of the khandhas (aggregates), āyatanas (sense bases), dhātus (elements), and several other subjects. It gives explanations according to the Suttanta method, by way of conventional terms, and the Abhidhamma method, by way of ultimate realities. It also has sections of interrogation. The aim is, as is the case of the whole of the Abhidhamma, to develop right understanding of nāma and rūpa as they appear in daily life. This book helps one to know more about the deeper-lying motives of one ’s thoughts and actions. One may take them for wholesome, but in fact there are very often selfish motives that are unnoticed. The section on ‘the Small Items’ (Khuddakavatthu Vibhaṅga) is most revealing in the descriptions of akusala such as conceit. It gives an impressive list of all the objects on account of which conceit may arise (832), namely: pride of birth, of clan, of health, of youth, of life, of gain, of being honoured, of being respected, of prominence, of having adherents, of wealth, of appearance, of erudition, of intelligence, of being a knowledgeable authority.... Conceit is compared to hoisting a banner; at the moment of conceit one finds oneself important. There are many definitions of akusala, but the purpose is to know them when they arise through the development of satipaṭṭhāna. We read in the section of “the Heart of the Teaching” (1031): “The three bad roots are to be known fully, are to be comprehended, are to be abandoned...” Abandonment can only be accomplished by fully knowing them and comprehending them. Among the many word explanations we read about understanding (here translated as awareness, 525): “Therein what is awareness? That which is wisdom, understanding, investigation, research, truth investigation, discernment, discrimination, differentiation, erudition, proficiency, subtlety, analysis, consideration, breadth, sagacity, guidance, insight, awareness, goad, wisdom, controlling faculty of wisdom, power of wisdom, sword of wisdom, tower of wisdom, light of wisdom, lustre of wisdom, splendour of wisdom, jewel of wisdom, absence of dullness, truth investigation, right view...” It is well worth to consider these definitions. When we read about the subtlety of wisdom we are reminded that the teachings are very subtle and have to be carefully considered. Only thus there can be the lustre and splendour of wisdom that causes the darkness of ignorance to disappear.