Prepared by
John D. Hughes, Dip App Chem, TTTC, GDAIE,
Anita Hughes, RN Div1,
Evelin Halls, Dip For Lang Corres
Rilla Pargeter
Pennie White, BA, Dip Ed
LAN 2 reference I:\abhi030.rtf
Abhidhamma Class No. 30, 14 January 2003
“Review of Abhidhamma Classes 16, 17 and 18”
Glossary
Mundane = of or pertaining to this world (i.e. the earth as contrasted with heaven); worldly; earthly. Also, of or pertaining to everyday life, dull, routine.
Spurious = illegitimate, false, having an unlawful or irregular origin; not properly qualified or constituted. Superficially resembling or simulating something, but lacking its genuine character or qualities; not true or genuine; false, counterfeit.
Systematic = arranged or conducted according to a system, plan, or organised method; (of a person) acting according to a system, regular and methodical, thorough.
Trite = no longer novel or fresh; stale through constant use or repetition.
Abhidhamma classes continue every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.
The benefits of our recent study and practice of the Abhidhamma are beginning to surface.
When persons become practiced in Abhidhamma they can understand each for himself or herself the causes and effects that arise and cease in the continuity of beings at every instant of the day.
Members are not surprised by mundane occurrences because they understand causes and effects, moment by moment.
One mundane approach to understanding how causes and effects of events can be researched is through selective but voracious reading of a broad range of subject matter over a period of time.
Our students are enjoying these classes and maturing under these teachings.
We teach persons to broaden their view by increasing their vocabulary and knowledge in a range of areas.
We encourage subject matter development of vocabulary because without understanding the subject matter, the thinking of concepts involved in the knowledge area would be difficult.
The study of English as a second language forces an improvement in the understanding of Oxford English.
Systematic Approach to the Study of Abhidhamma
One Member shared her systematic approach to the study of Abhidhamma with our students. Her approach can be described under four headings:
1. study each day
2. learn the definitions and meanings of the Pali terms
3. to use the charts as well as the text
4. review
We will continue to document weekly lessons for the next nine years providing a systematic approach to Abhidhamma.
Proposed Documentation of Learning Techniques
Tibetan texts list 10 stages for learning.
We invite our Abhidhamma students to contribute by documenting their learning techniques. We will critique such writings on our Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online journal at www.bddronline.net.au and www.bdcu.org.au
Nihilism and eternalism approaches must be avoided.
For Abhidhamma class 30 we revise:
Abhidhamma Class No. 16, 8 October 2002, “sobhana cetasika”. This class was an introduction to the sobhana cetasika (Beautiful Mental Concomitants).
Abhidhamma Class No. 17, 15 October 2002, “saddha”. In this class we explored saddha, the first of the 25 sobhana cetasika.
Without saddha, we could not have refuge in the Triple Gem and our studies would be spurious and trite.
Abhidhamma Class No. 18, 26 October 2002, “saddha”. In this lesson we learned how we can better translate saddha.
Papers for Classes 16 and 17 are included in Vol. 12. No. 5 and the paper for class 18 is included in Vol. 12 No. 6 of the Buddha Dhyana Dana review Online at:
www.bdcu.org.au and www.bddronline.net.au
The prescribed text for the study of Abhidhamma at our Chan Academy Australia is:
Mon, Dr. Mehm Tin (1995) “The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma”, Mehm Tay Zar Mon, Myanmar.
Copies of this text are available for loan to Members of the John D. Hughes collection library at the Chan Academy Australia. Library Membership involves a Library Joining Fee of A$44 (Australian Dollars) and a Library Membership Fee of $44 per year. For assistance, please see Leanne Eames or Julian Bamford.
References
Dr. Mehm Tin Mon, “The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma”, publisher Mehm Tay Zar Mon, Yangon, 1995, Ch. 2, pp.84-85.
Brown, Lesley (Ed.), 1993, “The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary”, Clarendon Press, Oxford.