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Dhatukatha
(Discussion with Reference to the Elements)
Dhatukatha is the third book of Abhidhamma. This book combines ideas from the two preceding Abhidhamma books, the Dhammasangani and Vibhanga. It is in the form of questions and answers, grouped into 14 chapters by form. Thus the first chapter asks of each item covered, "In how many aggregates, bases and elements is it included?" Later chapters progress to more complex questions like "From how many aggregates etc. are the Dhammas dissociated from the Dhammas associated with it dissociated?"
The Buddha is said to have expounded the Abhidhamma in Tavatimsa Heaven, the abode of the devas(angels). Dhatukatha was the subject of discourse following Vibhanga. Therefore, its contents form the third book of the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Dhatu (element) is defined as that which bears its own nature. Thus all the states of enquiry of the text beginning with the aggregates and ending with the couplet on lamentation come under the elements. This also implies that elements are not living beings and are not concerned with them. Dhatu-katha (Discourse on Elements) deals with the classification, unclassification, association and dissociation of the above states of enquiry with reference to the three categories of 5 aggregates, 12 bases and 18 elements. Although these elements are expounded in the Dhammasangani and Vibhanga, they are not treated exclusively and in detail there as they are in this text.
Dhatukatha : Chapters (Translation By U Narada)
Chapter 1 : Classification and Unclassification
1. Aggregates
2. Bases
3. Elements
4. Truths
5. Faculties
6. Dependent Origination and so on
7. Triplets 22
8. Couplets 100
The Classification Chart of Aggregates, Bases and Elements.
Method of Chapter I
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter I
Internal Tables (Abbhantara matika)
External Tables (Bahira matika)
Chapter 2: Classified and Unclassified
8 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter II
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter II
Chapter 3 : Unclassified and Classified
12 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter III
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter III
Chapter 4 : Classified and classified
2 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter IV
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter IV
Chapter 5 : Unclassified and Unclassified
35 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter V
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter V
Chapter 6 : Association and dissociation
78 Questions and Answers
1. Aggregates
2. Bases
3. Elements
4. Truths and so on
5. Triplets
6. Couplets
Chart ; Method of Chapter VI
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter VI
Chapter 7 : Associated and Dissociated
11 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter VII
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter VII
Chapter 8 : Dissociated and Associated
2 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapters VIII and XIV
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapters VIII and XIV
Chapter 9 : Associated and Associated
34 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapters IX and XII
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter IX
Chapter 10 : Dissociated and Dissociated
56 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter X
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter X
Chapter 11 : Associated with, and Dissociated from, the Classified
8 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter XI
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter XI
Chapter 12 : Classified and Unclassified Concerning the Associated
31 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter XII
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter XII
Chapter 13 : Associated with, and Dissociated from, the Unclassified
8 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method of Chapter XIII
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter XII
Chapter 14 : Classified and Unclassified Concerning the Dissociated
63 Questions and Answers
Chart: Method o f Chapter XIV
Explanation of the Method and Chart of Chapter XIV
Dhatukatha English Translation .pdf Version
Dhatukatha PTS translation in English is available here, click to open then save the file: :
Original Pali Version
(From www.tipitaka.org)
Click the link below to access the original Dhatukatha files in Pali language, the language spoken by Buddha.