Dhātukathā
The Dhātukathā is a Buddhist scripture, part of the Pāli Canon of Theravāda Buddhism, where it is included in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka. This text is a key component of the Abhidhamma literature and serves as an important tool for the detailed analysis and understanding of the dhammas as outlined in earlier texts.
Overview
Content and structure
The Dhātukathā combines and synthesizes ideas from the two preceding Abhidhamma books, the Dhammasaṅgaṇī and Vibhaṅga. It presents its material in the form of questions and answers, systematically arranged into 14 chapters. This methodical approach aids in the analytical study of the dhammas.
Each chapter in the Dhātukathā is dedicated to a specific line of inquiry regarding the nature of phenomena. The first chapter, for instance, asks of each item covered, "In how many aggregates, bases, and elements is it included?" This foundational question sets the stage for progressively more complex analyses in subsequent chapters. An example of a more advanced question is, "From how many aggregates, bases, and elements are the dhammas dissociated from the dhammas associated with it dissociated?"
The Dhātukathā studies the dhammas analyzed in the Dhammasaṅgaṇī and Vibhaṅga from fourteen different perspectives of analytical investigation. These perspectives allow for a comprehensive examination of the interactions and distinctions between various dhammas. This multi-faceted analysis is crucial for a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Abhidhamma.
Importance in tradition
The Dhātukathā is not merely a theoretical text but serves as a practical guide for the meditative and intellectual practices within Theravada Buddhism. Its detailed analysis helps practitioners to discern the intricacies of mental and physical phenomena, thereby aiding in the development of insight.
Translations
The title "Dhātukathā" can be translated as "Discourse on Elements."
English
An English translation by U Narada was published in 1962 by the Pali Text Society, based in Bristol.