Overview

About the Course :Abhidhamma (Pali) is a four-credit course of 15 weeks duration. In this MOOCs on Abhidhamma, there are forty modules discussing the different aspects of Abhidhamma based on the texts of Abhidhamma Piṭaka and its commentaries. These modules can be considered the culmination of the entire Abhidhamma system as it offers a thorough study of the origin and development of Abhidhamma, explanations of the concepts based on Abhidhamma. It also gives an insight to understand the knotty problems of the mind and body relationship as well as framework for the practice of meditation leading to realization of a state of eternal bliss.The course deals with detailed explanations of four reals namely consciousness (citta), psychic factors (cetasika), material qualities (rūpa) and a state of eternal bliss (nibbāna). Moreover, it also presents some selected controversial doctrines of importance, such as the Bhavaṅga and Ālayavijñāna, Anusaya and Kliṣṭamanovijñāna, Concept of Hadayavatthu, Controversies of Kathāvatthu, Similarities of Kathāvatthu and Milindapañho etc. The discussion on these controversies will mainly be based on the texts of Abhidhamma Piṭaka, its commentaries and manuals of Abhidhamma namely Abhidhammattha-saṅgaho, Abhidhammāvatāra, Saccasaṅkhepa and other works. By studying these controversies, the students will gain a deeper insight into the doctrinal and spiritual concerns of the ancient masters, and how these concerns fervently stimulated progressive articulation and development of Buddhist thoughts.Assessment: 100% courseworkPre-requisite for the course:-Graduation in any subject with the knowledge of English as medium of instruction, interest in Buddhist studies.Course type: core or elective: :- Open ElectiveEstimated work load every week:- 8 to 12 hours. (Watching videos, reading module contents- (2 or 3 every week), attempting questions and reading related reference materials.)Total assignments allotted for the course (Indicate Graded assignments (which contain marks) and non-graded (those non-marks)): - In all fifteen assignments (one assignment per week) and 15 assignments without marks. In addition, there will be five long essay type assignments (One assignment every three weeks). Out of them three assignments will be graded and two non-graded.

Syllabus

Week wise schedule (including the assignment to be kept in the week) :-

Week No. Nos. and Titles of Modules 1 1. Origin and Development of the Abhidhamma 2. Classification of Buddha Vacana and Abhidhamma 3. Mind And Matter in Abhidhamma

2 4. An Introduction of Lokiya Citta 5. An Introduction of Consciousness (Citta) on the basis of Jāti (Class) 6. An Introduction Kusala Citta

3 7. An Introduction of Vipāka Citta and Kiriyā Citta 8. An Introduction of Functions Of Consciousness (Citta-Kiccāni)

4 9. Concept of Psychic Factors (Cetasika) 10. The Process of Consciousness (Citta-Vīthi)
11.A Study of Apperception Consciousness (Javana Citta)
5 12. Material Quality (Rūpa) in Theravāda Abhidhamma 13. The Four Generating Principles (Samuṭṭhāna)and Grouping (kalāpa) of Material Qualities (Rūpa)

6 14. Concept of Rūpa as depicted in the Dhammasaṅgaṇi 15. Nibbāna in Theravāda Abhidhamma

7 16. An Introduction to the Dhammasaṅgaṇi 17. An Introduction of Establishment of Mātikā (Matrix) in Dhammasaṅgaṇi 18. Explanations of a few tika and duka mātika-s

8 19. An Outline of the Kathāvatthuppakaraṇa 20. Historicity of Kathāvatthuppakaraṇa

9 21. Moggaliputtatissatthera as Great Exponent of Abhidhamma 22. Life History of Moggaliputta Tissa Thera 23. Comparative Study of Kathāvatthu and Milindapañho

10 24. An Introduction to the Paṭṭhānappakaraṇa 25. Treatment of the Dhammas in the Paṭṭhāna-Pakaraṇa

11 26. Morality (Sīla) in Theravāda Buddhism 27. Concentration (Samādhi) in Theravāda Buddhism 28. Seven Stages of Purification (Satta Visuddhi)

12 29. Bodhipakkhiyā- Dhammā with Special Emphasis To Noble Eight- Fold Path 30. Karma And Rebirth In Theravāda Abhidhamma 31. Concept of Anatta in Abhidhamma

13 32. Concept of Karuṇā in Abhidhamma 33. Paṭisambhidā and Sāgara as depicted in the Aṭṭhasālini 34. Concept of Heart-Base (Hadayavatthu)

14 35. Concept of Akusala Dhamma 36. Concept of Saṃyojana