________________ 39 Sutra and Abhidharma The bodhi of the Buddha consists of this dharmapravichaya or the nama-rupa-parichchheda, which is fully elaborated in the Abhidharma. It is to impart this that he preaches Abhidharma to his disciples. It is not only a means to attain nirvana, but also an end, indeed arhatship itself. The analysis of the nama and rupa and particularly of nama, i. e. the mind and mental dhammas, dominate the entire preachings of the Buddha. The doctrines of karma, rebirth and salvation are all explained on the basis of the analysis of the mind in its good, bad and indeterminate states. His oft-quoted saying, "Beings suffer on account of the impure mind;, they are freed by the purification of the mind,"s can be pointed to as a good example of this analysis. A study of the mind and its functions with reference to its different objects in various states of existence, a' minute observation of the various kinds of feelings, volitions and other concomitants that associate with those states and an analysis of the complex network of causes that lead to such combinations are to be found in various suttas, in several repeatedly occurring passages that deal with jhanas, patipadas, abhinnas and the bodhipakkhiya-dhammas. The analysis of the matter is also given in the Suttas to the extent that is necessary to understand the role it plays as an object of the mind and also to comprehend its mysterious co-operation with the mind in giving effect to a corporeal life. A large number of suttas emphasise the need of this analytical consciousness. We may particularly note here the Satipatthana-sutta of the Digha-nikaya. The practice of the contemplation of the nature of body (kaya), feelings (vedana), mind (chitta). and dhammas is spoken by the Buddha as the one and only way of leading to the purification of beings and the realization of nibbana.* We have noted above the attempts by the Elders towards collecting the visittha dhamma in several groups. At a 1 Dhs A. 1. 78-79. 2 Akb. I. 3. 3 Vide Adv. pp. 46. 78 and 363. * 4 Vide Ado, p. 317, n. 2.
