Abhidhamma · Systematic Analysis
Pāli canon · analytical teachings
The Theravāda Abhidhamma comprises seven books. Access to Insight provides an introduction to these works and further study resources.
The seven books
- Dhammasaṅgaṇī
- Vibhaṅga
- Dhātukathā
- Puggalapaññatti
- Kathāvatthu
- Yamaka
- Paṭṭhāna
Translations & sourcesEditions & translators
A guide to the Pāli Abhidhamma Piṭaka and related study materials. This page is an overview, not a complete English translation of the seven books.
Edition & attribution
An introduction. Follow the source link below to read the translated text.
Introductions, reflection questions and added section headings are editorial material, separate from the attributed translation.
Overview · further reading
Source link checked October 1, 2026. The linked publisher provides the text and its usage terms.
Connections
Guru Viking5
- Ep115: Jhana, Ego, & Orgasm – Leigh Brasington, Shinzen Young, Chelsey Fasano, & Dr Sanguinetti
Reference in the official chapter notes.
Source
- Ep110: Case Study of Ecstatic Meditation - Leigh Brasington, Shinzen Young, Chelsey Fasano, & Dr Sanguinetti
Reference checked in a machine transcript of the official podcast audio.
Source
- Ep109: Choose Your Yidam - Lama Glenn Mullin
Reference checked in a machine transcript of the official podcast audio.
Source
- Ep73: Dangerous and Delusional? - Daniel Ingram
Reference checked in captions.
Source
- Ep51: UFOs, Lineage Holders, & Tantric Secrecy - Glenn Mullin
Reference in the official chapter notes.
Source
People & teachers13
- Sāriputta
Theravāda tradition associates him with the transmission of Abhidhamma.
Source
- Buddhaghosa
Later commentator whose manual uses detailed analysis of mind and conditions.
Source
- Ajahn Sucitto
Teaches on this text:
- Day 6 Q&A1Names this text
- Sayadaw U Jagara
Teaches on this text:
- Dimanche 24 mai 2020Names this text
- Brief Explanation of the 24 Paccaya (causal relationship)Names this text
- Marcia Rose
Teaches on this text:
- Nikki Mirghafori
Teaches on this text:
- Shaila Catherine
Teaches on this text:
- Feeling Emotions on the Meditative Path of AwakeningNames this text
- How Conduct Bears Fruit: Training in Not KillingNames this text
- Joseph Goldstein
Teaches on this text:
- The Third Noble TruthNames this text
- Bhikkhu Bodhi
Teaches on this text:
- What’s Going on in the Abhidhamma? part 4Names this text
- What’s Going on in the Abhidhamma? part 3Names this text
2 more connected teachings
- From the Nikāyas to the Abhidhamma part 2Names this text
- From the Nikāyas to the Abhidhamma part 1Names this text
- Sayadaw Vivekananda
Teaches on this text:
- Qualities Of Mindfulness (Sati)Names this text
- Lila Kate Wheeler
Teaches on this text:
- Equanimity- Touching What Is FragileNames this text
- Steve Armstrong
Teaches on this text:
- ... That's Where I'm Going To Make My Happy HomeNames this text
- Anagarika Munindra
Teaches on this text:
- Abhidhamma OverviewNames this text
- Abhidhamma #3Names this text
2 more connected teachings
- Abhidhamma #2Names this text
- Abhidhamma #1Names this text
Traditions & history4
- Buddhaghosa’s synthesis
Later Theravāda commentarial synthesis of analysis and practice.
Source
- Theravāda
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Theravāda.
- Commentarial learning
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Commentarial learning.
- Pa-Auk meditation network
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Pa-Auk meditation network.
Books1
- The Path of Purification
Related commentary: a systematic analysis of experience within a path of practice.
Source
Topics2
- Mindfulness & awareness
Explore Mindfulness & awareness across the Atlas.
- Emptiness & not-self
Explore Emptiness & not-self across the Atlas.
Make yourself comfortable
About this textContext & reading guide
The seven books of the Theravāda Abhidhamma organize experience through detailed analyses of mind, mental qualities, material phenomena and conditional relations. Their method differs from the narrative conversations of the discourses.
The linked overview introduces the books and points to further study. Other Buddhist schools developed different Abhidharma systems, so the Pāli collection represents one important analytical tradition within a larger history.