Abhidharma
Noun
Meaning
Abhidharma pl (plural only)
(Buddhism) Ancient Buddhist texts, dating from the 3rd century BCE onward, that contain detailed scholastic reworkings of doctrinal material appearing in the Buddhist sutras, according to schematic classifications.
Examples
Abhidharma in the Pali Canon differentiates between a root cause (hetu) and facilitating cause (pacca).
In Abhidharma metaphysics, besides physical and mental elements there are assumed functions accomplishing individuals (Sanskrit: saṁskṛta-lakṣaṇa).
Mahāyāna philosophers continued the philosophical projects of Abhidharma while at the same time critiquing them and introducing new concepts and ideas.
Perhaps the most ancient attempt at Personality psychology is the personality typology outlined by the Indian Buddhist Abhidharma schools.
Rejecting the substantial existence of permanent entities which are qualified by possibly changing qualities, Buddhist Abhidharma philosophers enumerated lists of dharmas which varied by school.
The Abhidharmic schools held that the teachings of the Buddha in the sutras were merely conventional, while the Abhidharma analysis was ultimate truth (paramattha sacca), the way things really are when seen by an enlightened being.