Abhidhamma mentioned in the suttas

I found a sutta that directly mentions the Abhidhamma.
Translated using ChatGPT
You can find the full sutta here and the commentary by clicking this link
Tatiyaanāgatabhayasutta

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhavissanti bhikkhū anāgatamaddhānaṁ abhāvitakāyā abhāvitasīlā abhāvitacittā abhāvitapaññā.
Te abhāvitakāyā samānā abhāvitasīlā abhāvitacittā abhāvitapaññā abhidhammakathaṁ vedallakathaṁ kathentā kaṇhadhammaṁ okkamamānā na bujjhissanti.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, dhammasandosā vinayasandoso;
vinayasandosā dhammasandoso.
Idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ anāgatabhayaṁ etarahi asamuppannaṁ āyatiṁ samuppajjissati.
Again, bhikkhus, in the future monks will be undeveloped in body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind, undeveloped in wisdom. While discussing Abhidhamma and analytical teachings, they will fall into dark and unwholesome ways, yet they will not realize it.
Thus when the Dhamma declines, the discipline declines; when the discipline declines, the Dhamma declines.

Bhikkhus, this is the third future danger.

Here is the part of the commentarial explanation.

“Abhidhamma discussion”

This refers to discussions of higher teachings such as virtue, concentration, and wisdom.


“Vedalla discussion”

This means analytical or knowledge-based discussions connected with understanding.


“Entering dark states”

This refers to people who:

  • look for faults,
  • attack others,
  • speak with ill will,
  • teach for gain and honor.
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It is unfortunate that even when shown direct evidence, some people will say “it was added into the pali canon later”. Such is people nowadays.

I think we have discussed this in a different thread. @RobertK , can you past the link here?

Actually I am working on a full essay on this very topic, should have it finished in a week or two. I will upload it as soon as it is done.

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