Tipitaka Studies

Presented By
Bhikkhu Dhammarama
SIBA-BABL 14-13
Content
Introduction
Historical background of Kathvatthu
Aim of Kathvatthu
Authorship
Synopsis of Kathvatthu
Controversial points
Conclusion
Introduction
Kathvatthu is the only text in the whole Tipitaka which ascribed
to a definite author

The literal meaning of Kathvatthu is Subject of Discourse

The Kathvatthu is a book of debate on matters of theology,

philosophy, cosmology and critical analysis of Dhamma

The commentary of this book Pacappakaraa ahakath

Historical
background
Division of the Buddhist sangha into many different sects

Mahsnghika (5)
Mahsnghika Theravra
Theravra (7)
Ekabbohrika Mahinssaka
Ekabbohrika
Gokulika Mahinssaka
Dharmaguptika

Gokulika Pattivda
Bhhulika
Vajjiputtaka
Dharmaguptika
Dhaemuttarya
Pattivda
Cetiyavda Vajjiputtaka
Channgrika
Bhadraynika
Bhhulika Dhaemuttarya
Sammitya

Cetiyavda Channgrika
Bhadraynika
Sammitya
Vajjiputtakas proposal of laxity of monastic rules
Aim of
Kathvatthu
Solving the misinterpretations which were held by different
schools of the Sangha.

1. The nature of the continuity of the individual

2. The reality of the elements that constitute the individual.
3. The status of the liberated person.

These were the primary topics of philosophical controversy

during the time of Emperor Asoka
Authorship
Kathvatthu is the only Theravada Abhidhamma book for which the
tradition acknowledges a separate author, namely, the great elder
Moggaliputta Tissa.

In the future the turn for setting forth the kathvatthu shall arrive, my disciple, the
greatly wise Elder, Tissa, the son of Moggali will purge calling a third council...

Pacappakaraahakath Nidhnakath 0.6,p.7

They foresaw that after the lapse of 118 years a similar controversy would
come up
Sabbakmi thera instructed the Brahma Tissa to purify the ssana of the
crisis that would crop up during Dharmasokas time.
Synopsis of
Kathvatthu
This text contains 23 sections and each sections deal with 8 to 12 questions and
answers.

1. Do the absolute sense and personality (puggala) exist?

2. Does everything exist?
3. Can an Arhant fall away from Arhatship?
4. Can one as a worlding be free from sensuous greed and ill will?
5. Are the ten powers of the Buddha also shared by his disciples?
6. Is it correct to say that the Buddha lived in the world of human beings?

The Kathavatthu is divided into main 4 Pahnasaka groups of 50 (points to be

discussed), which are subdivided into 20 vaggas each with a varying number of
disputed items. At the end, 3 further vaggas are added.
Controversial
Points
Some of sects mentioned in the book,
have been arisen after the Ashokas
reign

Tissa thera rejected wrong views of

other schools except Theravda

Tissa thera did not compose this book

but he preached this controversies
Conclusion
Last canonical work is the Kathvatthu which was composed
during the king Ashokas time in order to suppress all the
issues born at that time and that would be arisen in the future

This book has quoted from Dhammasaghan, Vibhagha and

Paha. But not from Dhtukath and Puggalapaatti

Kathvatthu was composed not in a single period but within

about seven hundred years.

This text fundamentally reasoned to develop Buddhist Logic

References
Primary Sources
Aung .S.Z and Davids R. (1915). Points of Controversy or Subjects of Discourses. (tans: of Kathvatthu).
University of Hong Kong Library.

Buddhaghosa (Mah ahakathcr ). Pancappakaranatthakatha.

Secondary Sources
Barua A. (2006). Kathavatthu (A Critical and Philosophical Study). New Bharatiya Book Corp., Delhi.

Nanaloka K. (1967). The earliest Indian logic (ed: and trans: into Sinhalese). Vol IV. Colombo, Sri Lanka.

J.P.Minayeff. (1889). Buddhaghosa's Atthakatha, (ed:). PTS.

Ichimura S. (1991). Abhidharmika logical deadlock in Kathavatthu and Nagarjuna's Madhyamika

dialectic. JIBSt.