| Unit name | Psychology & Philosophy in the Abhidhamma |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30017 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Emeritus Professor. Gethin |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites | |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit aims to provide an overall understanding of the Abhidhamma enterprise and the crucial role it plays in the development of Buddhist thought, setting the agenda for such developments as the Madhyamaka and Yogacara. Essentially psychological in its approach, Abhidhamma attempts to give a comprehensive account of the world by means of an analysis of the workings and behaviour of the mind. Among the topics examined by the unit are the Abhidhamma understanding of the processes of everyday consciousness, dreams and deep sleep, what happens in meditation, and the thoughts that go through the mind at the times of death and rebirth.
