Explanation of Abhidhamma - Lesson 3: Ultimate Reality
Concept of Ultimate Reality (Paramatthasacca)
Ultimate reality: It is the substantial truth of conventional reality, a truth that is visible and never changes.
Example: "Mr. A" in conventional terms has distinct characteristics, but in ultimate reality, Mr. A is a collection of the five aggregates and what truly is Mr. A.
Characteristics of Ultimate Reality
Never changes (Parama aviparito):
Never changing means it is always the same, without variation. The present and future are just like the past.
Object of superior wisdom (Paramattha):
This means superior, ultimate is profound, the essence of all phenomena.
Nature of Ultimate Reality
Unambiguous: Absolute truth, not dual.
Real and Conventional: Real is the truth of truths, the actual condition of things.
Abhidhamma and the Essence of Phenomena
Mind (Citta): The cognitive component of living beings.
Mental factors (Cetasika): The dependent aspects of the mind.
Material phenomena (Rūpa): The material component, substance.
Nibbana (Nibbāna): The tranquil essence, cessation of the birth and death of mental and physical processes.
Classification of Phenomena
Mind and Matter:
Mind (Nāma): Mind and mental factors.
Matter (Rūpa): Material substance. Mind and Matter form conditioned phenomena (Sankhāra).
Nibbana:
Tranquility, total cessation, not caused by conditions which forms unconditioned phenomena (Asankhāra).
Notes for Buddhist Students
It is necessary to distinguish between conventional designations and true reality.
Clearly understand conditioned and unconditioned phenomena to avoid confusion.
Important for meditation practitioners, as insight meditation is to clearly see the true nature of phenomena.
Characteristics of Abhidhamma
Profound and essential: Abhidhamma deeply describes the essence of ultimate reality.
Note
Students of Abhidhamma need to thoroughly grasp the principles of ultimate reality.
Conclusion
This Dhamma lesson is excerpted from the book "Explanation of Abhidhamma" by Venerable Giac Chanh.
This is part of a series of lectures on Abhidhamma aimed at helping learners understand more about phenomena and practice in life.