Abhidhamma Divas

• 08 Oct 2025

Why in News? 

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in partnership with Gautam Buddha University, Antarrashtriya Baudh Shodh Sansthan, and the Ministry of Culture, celebrated International Abhidhamma Day(Abhidhamma Divas) on 6^th–7^th October 2025 at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida. 

Key Points 

• About: Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the occasion when the Buddha preached the Abhidhamma to the gods of Tavatimsa Heaven, led by his mother Mahamaya, and later shared it with his disciple Arahant Sariputta. 
  • It commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm of the thirty-three divine beings (Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka) to Sankassiya (Sankisa Basantapur, Farrukhabad) in Uttar Pradesh.  
  • The importance of this location is highlighted by the presence of the Asokan Elephant Pillar. 
• Mark of Event: Abhidhamma Divas coincides with the end of the rainy retreat (Vassa) and the Pavāraņā festival. 
  • Rainy retreat (Vassa) is an annual three-month monastic retreat practised especially in the Theravada Buddhist tradition during the monsoon season. 
  • The Pavāraṇā festival marks the conclusion of Vassa, where monks come together to confess any faults or mistakes made during the retreat and invite their fellow monks to point out any shortcomings they may have noticed.  
  • Pavāraṇā festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month, which is usually in October. 
• Key Functions:  
  • An International Conference on “The Relevance of Abhidhamma in Understanding Buddhist Thought: Text, Tradition and Contemporary Perspectives” was held to explore Abhidhamma’s philosophical, ethical, and psychological dimensions in the modern context. 
  • A special exhibition of over 2,500 Buddhist stamps from 90 countries, curated by Mr Vinod Kumar, was showcased, offering a glimpse into Buddhist heritage through philately. 
  • Two thematic exhibitions were organised, including "Buddha Dhamma on Body and Mind" and a display highlighting the Piprahwa relics, emphasising Buddha's spiritual and cultural legacy. 
  • The event featured screenings of two films—“Dissemination of Buddha Dhamma in Asia” and “Kushok Bakula Rinpoche – The Extraordinary Story of an Extraordinary Monk,” directed by Dr Hindol Sengupta.

Abhidhamma Pitaka 

• The Abhidhamma Pitaka is the last of three Pitakas that constitute to Pali Canon, one of the most popular scriptures of Theravada Buddhism.  
  • The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a detailed scholastic analysis and summary of the Buddha's teachings in the Suttas. It deals with the philosophy, doctrine, psychology, metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology of Buddhism 
  • The other remaining Pitakas of Tipitaka are the Vinaya Pitaka and the Sutta Pitaka.  
    • Vinaya Pitaka is the monastic rules of conduct for monks and nuns of the Sangha.  
    • Sutta Pitaka contains suttas (teachings/discourses) delivered by the Buddha and his close disciples. 
• The Abhidharma Pitaka consists of seven different books. 
  • Dhammasangani (Enumeration of Phenomena)  
  • Vibhanga (Book of Treaties)  
  • Dhatukatha (Discussion with Reference to the Elements)  
  • Puggalapanatti (Description of Personality)  
  • Kathavatthu (Points of Controversy)  
  • Yamaka (Book of Pairs)  
  • Patthana (Book of Relations) 
• The Government of India declared Pali a Classical Language, recognising its significance as the canonical language of Theravada Buddhist texts, including the Abhidhamma Pitaka.