CEYLON BRANCH 



: ROYxVL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



II 



The Abhidharma Pitaka consists of seven books. They 

 are not in the form of sermons, but specify terms and doc- 

 trines connected with them, with definitions and explanations. 

 Thus the Damma Sangani begins: What actions are 

 virtuous ? 



If at any time, a virtuous disposition be brought into 

 existence in the worlds of desire,* pleasing, and according to 

 wisdom with reference to objects of corporeal form, of sounds, 

 of odours, of flavor, of touch, or of mind, or with reference to 

 any thing of any kind,- — at that time there is contact, sensation, 

 perception, thought, mind, reflection, investigation, joy, hap- 

 piness, mental excitement, the sense of faith, perseverance, 

 thoughtfulness, tranquillity, wisdom, intellectuality, pleasure, 

 and of life : there are orthodoxy in opinion, correct reasoning, 

 holy conversation, &c, &c, or whatever other mental sensation 

 (of a pure kind) may be produced, these are virtuous actions. 



It proceeds then to define, in answer to the questions, 

 what is contact ? What is sensation ? What is percep- 

 tion ? &c 



The general character of the books may be understood by 

 these examples. 



The whole of the sacred text is in my possession, and the 

 principal of the ancient comments called q<£&x&d; which 

 however form but a small portion of the whole of the com- 

 ments which may exist. 



The Winiya Pitaka (or books on discipline") contains the 

 laws respecting the Priesthood. This division contains five 

 books ; viz. Parajika, Pachiti, Maha Waggo, Chula Waggo 

 and Pariwara Pata. The Parajika and Pachiti contain the 



* The universe is divided into three great sections q^x^OC ©d" arupa- 

 wachara, the Arupa worlds, where there is no perceptible form ; x,tS0e ©d" 

 rupawachara, the Brahma worlds, where there is form, but no gross or sensual 

 pleasures; and §o€)€)<5 kainawachara, the abodes of desire, comprising the 

 six heavens, the world of men, &c„ where both virtuous and vicious actions may 

 be performed. 



