Introducing the Higher Teachings of the Buddha BuddhaBuddha AbhidhammaAbhidhamma Ultimate Science by Dr. Mehm Tin Mon HAN DD ET U 'S B B O RY eOK LIBRA E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.buddhanet.net Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. MENTAL SCIENCE OR ULTIMATE SCIENCE NATURAL SCIENCES investigate the basic principles and laws of nature to explain the physical phenomena that have been occurring for aeons. But they cannot probe the nature of the mind and they fail to explain the mental phenomena that have enormous influence on physical phenomena. Lord Buddha, with His power of omniscience, knew the true nature of the mind and correctly described the causal relations that govern mind and matter and thus can explain all psycho-physical phenomena in the world. His ultimate teaching, known as Abhidhamma, describes in detail the natures of the ultimate realities that really exist in nature but are unknown to scientists. His method of verification is superior to scientific methods which depend on instruments. He used His divine-eye to penetrate the coverings that hide the true nature of all things. He also taught others how to develop concentration and how to observe with their mind-eyes the true nature of all things and finally the four Noble Truths which can enlighten one to achieve one’s liberation from all miseries for ever! So Abhidhamma may be regarded as Mental Science or Ultimate Science—the science of the ultimate truths. THE AGE OF ANALYSIS PHILOSOPHERS have now come to the age of analysis. But who can analyse mind and matter correctly and thoroughly as Lord Buddha has done more than 2500 years ago! The correct analysis of mind and matter is the greatest achieve- ment on earth and the discovery of the natural correlations between mind and matter is the most beneficial discovery ever achieved by man. You will gain the greatest benefit if you strenuously study Abhidhamma which systematically describes the intrinsic natures of the ultimate comprising mind, matter and permanent peace (Nibbàna). MIND CREATES MISERIES AND HAPPINESS ALL MENTAL PHENOMENA have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one thinks, speaks or acts with an evil mind, misery follows him just as the wheel follows the hoofs of the ox that draws the cart. If one thinks, speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like his shadow that never leaves him —Dhammapada, Verses 1&2 Introducing the Higher Teaching of the Buddha: Buddha Abhidhamma Ultimate Science by Dr. Mehm Tin Mon B.Sc.Hons. (Ygn), M.Sc., Ph.D. (USA) Professor of Chemistry (Rtd.) Professor of Samatha Meditation International Theravàda Buddha Missionary University, Yangon Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Union of Myanmar BUDDHA ABHIDHAMMA Ultimate Science Copyright © 1995 Dr Mehm Tin Mon Printed with permission from the author by Ven Hui Xin (Fo Guang Shan Malaysia) This First Revised Edition—1000 copies (Nov 2002) Layout and Cover Design by Sukhi Hotu Sdn Bhd 42V Jalan Matang Kuching 11500 Air Itam Penang Tel 04 8277118 Fax 04 8277228 Email [email protected] FOREWORD he prophecy that an able person would soon appear to Tcontribute to the world of knowledge in the field of Buddhist Psycho-ethical-philosophy, which we commonly appreciate as Buddha Abhidhamma, has now come true. The prophecy was made by my revered old teacher, Bhaddanta Nàrada Mahàthera (Aggamahàpandita) who was well-known as the original Patthàna Master. He made the prophecy in 1952 while I was studying Yamaka and Patthàna Treatises under his guidance. He as- signed me and my colleague translator, Professor Thein Nyunt, to translate his writings on Abhidhamma. The task was never fully accom- plished as I was occupied with teaching at the Pàli and Abhidhamma Department of the University of Yangon and later transferred to the International Institute of Advanced Buddhistic Studies at Kaba-Aye as Head of Research Department. Thereupon my disappointed old teacher, Bhaddanta Nàrada Ma- hàthera, with full expectation, prophesied that pretty soon an able scholar will emerge to accomplish the noble task of presenting Abhidhamma in English to the world. So now appears a novel and authentic treatise entitled BUDDHA ABHIDHAMMA—Ultimate Science by Dr. Mehm Tin Mon. Dr. Tin Mon is a man of science for he was trained in the Uni- versity of Illinois, U.S.A. for his master degree and doctorate degree in chemistry and then he served his country for several years as Professor of Chemistry. He is also a man of arts as he has written several illustrative books on education as well as on Buddhism and 5 his books are widely read by the public. So his approach to Abhi- dhamma is very scientific as well as artistic. Dr. Tin Mon has been conducting long courses as well as short intensive courses on Abhidhamma in many towns throughout Myamnar. His Abhidhamma-classes draw the attention of large crowds as his unique ability to compare Abhidhamma with science as well as with western philosophy makes the subject very interesting and stimulating. He emphasized the fact that the teachings of Lord Buddha in Abhidhamma are very scientific and that Abhidhamma goes much deeper than natural sciences encompassing a much wider field. As I was trained at the Harvard Divinity School and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences three decades ago, and has engaged myself as a research scholar in the field of historical, philosophical and religious sciences for many years, I heartily agree with Dr. Tin Mon in regarding Abhidhamma as the Ultimate Science—the science of the Ultimate Truths. Culture, Philosophy, History and may other common mundane subjects can be studied thoroughly through the media of natural and human sciences. But the divine elements in religious studies can be robed and realized only by means of Divine Science. However the ultimate supramundane things which are beyond divinity can be realized only through the Ultimate Science. So Abhidhamma or Ultimate Science surpasses all other historical, philosophical and religious sciences. Philosophy is a noble science but it cannot be said to excel all other sciences because it does not embrace the whole universality of things in Abhidhamma. Abhidhamma analyses mind and matter in minute detail into ultimate realities and shows the way to eternal peace call Nibbàna. These ultimate realities are unknown to philosophy and all other sciences. 6 Dr. Tin Mon enlightens the readers extremely well with his BUDDHA ABHIDHAMMA—Ultimate Science. A reader can derive more benefit from this book in one week that from a life-time of pondering the philosophies of others. This treatise is really a new version of the Compendium of Bud- dhist Philosophy after the design of the well-known book called THE ABHIDHAMMATHA SANGAHA—The Compendium of Buddhist Philosophy written by U Shwe Zan Aung and published by the London Pali Text Society in 1910. Dr. Tin Mon perfected and augmented it still further by the extraordinary quality of his intellect and all the superb patrimony of wisdom which he inherited from his predecessors. As a matter of fact, I have studied the subject in conjunction with the Ultimate Science at the Department of History and Philosophy in Harvard University from the theological point of view. But I am more thoroughly convinced and lucidly enlightened in the conception and meaningfulness of the subject only now after I have read this new book presented by Dr. Tin Mon. It is really a very hard task to write than to read such a profound work like this. May all scholars therefore unanimously and sincerely welcome this superb work on Abhidhamma and may Abhidhamma enlighten the whole world. 24 December 1994 Sao Htun Hmat Win M.A., A.M., S.R.F. (Harvard) MAHA SADDHAMMA JOTIKADHAJA Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Union of Myanmar Contents Foreword 4 Preface 17 Buddha’s Teachings ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 The Significance of Abhidhamma .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 What is the Mind? ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 An Intellectual Treat ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Introduction 25 A Fitting Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Realities .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 The Four Paramatthas ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Nàma and Råpa ......................................................................................................................................................................................................