Kalapas: Where does one find the first mention of these outside the Visuddhimagga?
 

Hi everyone,

I have studied the 4 Nikaya's, not all the Khuddaka Nikaya however only portions.

I have the "Path of Purification" and the "Abhidamma Sanghani" as well by Pariyatti/BPS.

In the Visuddhimagga or PoP for short, Kalapas are mentioned but I fail to find them in the Nikayas.

I recently ordered the oldest Abhidhamma books Dhammasangani & Vibhanga as well.

Could someone assist me please?
Thank you http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

hi Stefos

if by Kalapas, you are referring to sub-atomic particles, then i have not come across these in my readings of the Nikayas

generally, the Nikayas refer to phenomena that fall within the range of consciousness perception

for example:

(THE ELEMENTS)

4. "But, venerable sir, in what way can a monk be called skilled in the elements?"

"There are, Ananda, these eighteen elements: the eye element, the form element, the eye-consciousness element; the ear element, the sound element, the ear-consciousness element; the nose element, the odor element, the nose-consciousness element; the tongue element, the flavor element, the tongue-consciousness element; the body element, the tangible element, the body-consciousness element; the mind element, the mind-object element, the mind-consciousness element. When he knows and sees these eighteen elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

5. "But venerable sir, might there be another way in which a monk can be called skilled in the elements?"

"There might be, Ananda. There are, Ananda, these six elements: the earth element, the water element, the fire element, the air element, the space element, and the consciousness element. When he knows and sees these six elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

6. "But venerable sir, might there be another way in which a monk can be called skilled in the elements?"

"There might be, Ananda. There are, Ananda, these six elements: the pleasure element, the pain element, the joy element, the grief element, the equanimity element, and the ignorance element. When he knows and sees these six elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

7. "But venerable sir, might there be another way in which a monk can be called skilled in the elements?"

"There might be, Ananda. There are, Ananda, these six elements: the sensual desire element, the renunciation element, the ill will element, the non-ill will element, the cruelty element, and the non-cruelty element. When he knows and sees these six elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

8. "But venerable sir, might there be another way in which a monk can be called skilled in the elements?"

"There might be, Ananda. There are, Ananda, these three elements: the sense-sphere element, the fine-material element, and the immaterial element. When he knows and sees these three elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

9. "But venerable sir, might there be another way in which a monk can be called skilled in the elements?"

"There might be, Ananda. There are, Ananda, these two elements: the conditioned element and the unconditioned element. When he knows and sees these two elements, a monk can be called skilled in the elements.

MN 115 kind regards http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Hi Element,

Thank you sir.

The Visuddhimagga mentions them, as do contemporary meditation teachers such a Pa Auk Sayadaw & S.N. Goenka.

Where then did this idea/understanding arise from?

Thanks
Stefos

hi Stefos

the concept of Kalapas probably comes from Abhidhamma

the idea of Kalapas obviously is influenced by Buddha but it probably an intellectual idea rather than from observable insight

kind regards

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

Hi Element,

I ordered the Dhammasangani & the Vibhanga. Would it be described there?

Thank you,
Stefos