Puggalapaññatti
The Puggalapaññatti is a Buddhist scripture, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka. It contains the least material among the seven texts of the Abhidhamma and is distinct in that it discusses persons rather than emphasizing ultimate realities or mental phenomena, as in other Abhidhamma texts. Its linguistic style resembles declarative sentences found in the Sutta Pitaka, particularly in the Anguttara Nikaya and the Sangiti Sutta of the Digha Nikaya, whereas the Abhidhamma Pitaka typically uses an enumerative style. In Thai editions of the Tipiṭaka, the Puggalapaññatti is often combined with the Dhātukathā due to its relatively short content.
Content
The Puggalapaññatti deals with the classification of different types of persons, defining the terms used to describe individuals according to their qualities. For example, a "stream-enterer" refers to a person who has abandoned the first three fetters.It begins with a matika that classifies six types of designations, as stated in Pali: "Cha paññattiyo – khandha-paññatti, āyatana-paññatti, dhātu-paññatti, sacca-paññatti, indriya-paññatti, puggalapaññatti." This translates as six designations: 1. Khandha-paññatti, 2. Āyatana-paññatti, 3. Dhātu-paññatti, 4. Sacca-paññatti, 5. Indriya-paññatti, 6. Puggalapaññatti. These six designations are further subdivided into 5 aggregates, 12 sense bases, 18 elements, 4 truths, and 22 faculties.
The classification of different types of persons provides more detailed subdivisions. Each matika specifies the number of persons in that group. For example, the Ekaka-matika covers a single type of person, such as ordinary persons, those eligible to attain the path and fruition, noble persons, and non-noble persons. The enumeration continues up to the Dasaka-matika, which covers ten types of persons: five types of noble persons in the sensual realm, and five types of noble persons after leaving the sensual realm. The first five categories include three types of stream-enterers, the once-returner, and the arahant. The latter five categories include five types of non-returners who attain final Nibbāna in the pure abodes.
Related Texts
- Puggalapaññatti-pakaraṇa-atthakathā or Paramatthateepaṇī by Buddhaghosa, also called Pañcapaṅkaraṇattakathā, composed in the 5th century.
- Puggalapaññatti-mūlaṭīkā or Pañcapaṅkaraṇamūlaṭīkā, also called Pañcapaṅkaraṇapakasinī, Leenaṭṭhajotika, Leenaṭṭhajotana, or Leenaṭṭhapatthavannā, composed by Ānanda Thera in the 6th century or around the 8th–9th centuries.
- Puggalapaññatti-anuddīkā or Pañcapaṅkaraṇānuddīkā, also called Leenaṭṭhāvannā, Leenaṭṭhapakāsinī, or Abhidhamma-anuddīkā, composed by Chulladhammapāla in the 6th century or around the 8th–9th centuries.
- Puggalapaññatti-yojanā or Puggalapaññatti-atthayojanā, composed by Ñāṇakitti in Chiang Mai in the 15th century.
- Puggalapaññatti-kaṇṭhī, author unknown.