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The Vibhanga (vibhaṅga) is a Buddhist Scripture, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, where it is included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Translation: The Book of Analysis, tr U Thittila, 1969/1988, Pali Text Society[1], Bristol
The book is in 18 chapters, each dealing with a particular topic:
- aggregate (khandha)
- sense bases (āyatana)
- elements (dhātu)
- truth (sacca)
- faculties (indriya)
- dependent origination (paticcasamuppāda)
- mindfulness foundation (satipaṭṭhāna)
- right exertion (sammappadhāna)
- base of power (iddhipāda)
- enlightenment factor (bojjhanga)
- path (magga)
- absorption (jhāna)
- immeasurables (appammaññā)
- training rules (sikkhāpada)
- analysis (paṭisambhidā)
- knowledge (ñāṇa)
- smaller subjects (khuddhaka vatthu)
- heart of the Dhamma (dhammahadaya)
A typical chapter is in three parts:
- Sutta method: often consisting of quotations from the Sutta Pitaka
- Abhidhamma method: variously by lists of synonyms, numerical classifications, ...
- Question method: this applies the matika of the Dhammasangani, asking how many are ...
