Author affiliation's : National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
摘要
It is commonly assumed that the theory of rūpa-kalāpa(s) did not appear in the Pali canonical literature, and relevant terminologies and their explanation are only seen in commentarial works (e.g. Visuddhimagga, Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha). Comprehensive explanation of kalāpa(s) has sometimes been considered to perform as a theoretical, scholastic and even complicated Abhidhammic teaching developed in later period, drawing away from early Buddhist texts. This paper attempts to explore whether the theory of rūpa-kalāpa(s) is in fact also practical. In contemporary Buddhism, Pa Auk Sayadaw from Burmese Theravada tradition has advocated this idea. The paper will indicate how Pa Auk Sayadaw has made a good connection to bring Abhidhamma into meditation practice, in the case of applying kalāpa(s) subject. And this effort, the paper argues, has possibly further re-connected post canonical abhidhamma teaching to the essential teaching in the Pali canon, going back notably to the suttas. This has demonstrated meaningful endeavor for the maintenance of a continuing, coherence heritage. Additionally, the paper will briefly compare if similar application is also found in other Abhidharma traditions.
