Abhidhamma in a nutshell
BUDDHISM: The Mechanics of Buddhism and its Sinhala
translation Bududahame Yatharthaya by Tilak Marapana will be launched at
the Committee Room A of the Bandaranaike Memorial International
Conference Hall (BMICH), Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 today (21 March)
at 3:30 p.m. The book is published by Vijitha Yapa Publications.
The purpose of this work is to give a better understanding of the
underlying principles upon which the Buddha’s teachings are founded
upon. All the faith and engagement in the many popular rituals, good as
they may be in themselves, if resorted to with this understanding is
bound to be more productive.
This benefit can be reaped only by an exposure to the Abhidhamma.
This work is an attempt to inform the readers of some aspects dealt with
in the Abhidhamma. Every effort has been made to make the subject
understandable to a beginner.
For this purpose, there is a considerable degree of brevity avoiding
complex expositions. It is also hoped that this basic exposure would
stimulate the reader to embark on a deeper study through recourse to
more comprehensive and instructive works on the Abhidhamma.
Venerable Dr. K. Mahinda Sangharakkhita in his Foreword says: “Useful
instructions and a synoptic view of the Abhidhamma are presented
according to the Theravada tradition, for average people.
The author analyzes the concept of mind, mental factors, the
different planes of consciousness and their states with reference to
healthy and unhealthy attitudes towards human life. The book presents
genuine Buddhist doctrine with the aim of creating a real Buddhist, free
from ritual adherence and intent on working out his own future with his
self as the light.”
The author has gathered this knowledge from all available literature
on the Abhidhamma and presented in a condensed, yet readable and
comprehensible style. The English book contains 160 pages and the
Sinhala translation 180 pages.
The author Tilak Marapana is an eminent lawyer, who held the post of
Attorney General in the 1990s and is a former Minister of Defence. |