29, July 2026

Mind, Matter, and Consciousness in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka: A Buddhist Psychological Framework for Counselling and Mental Health Practice in Today’s Context

VOLUME-9; ISSUE-7; JULY-2026

Author(s): Prayag Uttamdas Pilewan, Prof. Dr. Bandu Manwatkar

Authors Affiliations:

Prayag Uttamdas Pilewan

Research Scholar,

Guide name :- Prof. Dr. Bandu Manwatkar

Madhukarrao Pawar Arts College, Murtizapur,

Affiliated to Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati.

DOIs:10.2018/SS/202607008     |     Paper ID: SS202607008


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The concepts of mind, matter, and consciousness have remained central to philosophical, religious, and psychological inquiry throughout human history. Among the Buddhist canonical texts, the Abhidhamma Piṭaka presents the most systematic and analytical exposition of these concepts by examining the ultimate constituents of human experience consciousness (citta), mental factors (cetasikas), material phenomena (rūpa), and Nibbāna. Unlike conventional approaches that regard the individual as a permanent entity, the Abhidhamma explains human existence as a dynamic process of conditioned mental and physical phenomena governed by the principle of dependent origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda).

The present research aims to undertake a systematic and critical study of the concepts of mind (nāma), matter (rūpa), and consciousness (viññāṇa/citta) as expounded in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka and to examine their relevance as a Buddhist psychological framework for contemporary counselling and mental health practice. The study seeks to bridge classical Buddhist psychology with modern psychological perspectives, demonstrating how the analytical and ethical principles of the Abhidhamma can contribute to understanding cognitive processes, emotional regulation, behavioural transformation, and psychological well-being.

The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive, analytical, and interpretative methodology. Primary sources include the seven books of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka Dhammasaṅgaṇī, Vibhaṅga, Dhātukathā, Puggalapaññatti, Kathāvatthu, Yamaka, and Paṭṭhāna. Secondary sources comprise the Aṭṭhakathā (commentaries), Ṭīkā (sub-commentaries), scholarly books, journal articles, doctoral theses, and contemporary literature on Buddhist psychology and counselling.

The study examines the Abhidhamma classification of consciousness and mental factors, the interrelationship between nāma and rūpa, the doctrine of conditionality (paccaya), and the ethical foundations of mental states. It further explores the applicability of these concepts in addressing contemporary mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, emotional instability, and psychosomatic disorders. Special attention is given to the role of mindfulness (sati), mental cultivation (bhāvanā), and wisdom (paññā) in promoting psychological resilience and holistic well-being.

The research is expected to demonstrate that the Abhidhamma Piṭaka is not merely a philosophical or doctrinal text but a sophisticated psychological system that offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the functioning of the human mind. Its process-oriented, ethical, and experiential approach provides valuable insights for modern counselling and mental health practice. The study also aims to contribute to interdisciplinary scholarship by integrating Pāli studies, Buddhist philosophy, psychology, counselling, mental health, and social work, thereby highlighting the enduring relevance of Buddhist psychological thought in addressing the mental health needs of contemporary society.

Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Buddhist Psychology, Mind (Nāma), Matter (Rūpa), Consciousness (Viññāṇa/Citta), Mental Factors (Cetasikas), Mental Health, Counselling, Suffering (Dukkha), Cessation of Suffering (Dukkha-Nirodha), Four Noble Truths, Dependent Origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda), Noble Eightfold Path, Mindfulness (Sati), Mental Cultivation (Bhāvanā), Wisdom (Paññā), Ethical Conduct (Sīla).

Prayag Uttamdas Pilewan, Prof. Dr. Bandu Manwatkar (2026); Mind, Matter, and Consciousness in the Abhidhamma Piṭaka: A Buddhist Psychological Framework for Counselling and Mental Health Practice in Today’s Context, Shikshan Sanshodhan : Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences,      ISSN(o): 2581-6241,  Volume – 9,   Issue –  7,  Available on –   https://shikshansanshodhan.researchculturesociety.org/

  1. Primary Sources (Pāli Canon)
  1. Dhammasaṅgaṇī. (1996). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. I. London: Pali Text Society.
  2. Vibhaṅga. (1997). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. II. London: Pali Text Society.
  3. Dhātukathā. (1995). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. III. London: Pali Text Society.
  4. Puggalapaññatti. (1993). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. IV. London: Pali Text Society.
  5. Kathāvatthu. (1997). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. V. London: Pali Text Society.
  6. Yamaka. (1999). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. VI. London: Pali Text Society.
  7. Paṭṭhāna. (2002). Abhidhamma Piṭaka, Vol. VII. London: Pali Text Society.
  8. Majjhima Nikāya. (1995). The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli & Bhikkhu Bodhi, Trans.). Boston: Wisdom Publications.
  9. Saṃyutta Nikāya. (2000). The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi, Trans.). Boston: Wisdom Publications.
  10. Aṅguttara Nikāya. (2012). The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi, Trans.). Boston: Wisdom Publications.
  11. Dhammapada. (1985). The Dhammapada (Acharya Buddharakkhita, Trans.). Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  12. Udāna. (1998). The Udāna and the Itivuttaka (John D. Ireland, Trans.). Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  1. Commentarial Literature
  1. Atthasālinī. (1976). London: Pali Text Society.
  2. Buddhaghosa. (1975). Visuddhimagga (Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, Trans.). Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  3. Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha. (2000). In Bhikkhu Bodhi (Ed.), A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  1. English Books
  1. Bodhi, B. (Ed.). (2000). A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  2. Brazier, C. (2003). Buddhist Psychology: Liberating Wisdom. London: Robinson.
  3. De Silva, P. (2010). An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and Counselling. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
  4. Gethin, R. (1998). The Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  5. Kalupahana, D. J. (1987). The Principles of Buddhist Psychology. Albany: State University of New York Press.
  6. Kornfield, J. (2008). The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology. New York: Bantam Books.
  7. Nyanaponika Thera. (1998). Abhidhamma Studies: Buddhist Explorations of Consciousness and Time. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.
  8. Rahula, W. (1974). What the Buddha Taught. London: Gordon Fraser.
  9. Van Gorkom, N. (2010). Introduction to the Abhidhamma. Bangkok: Zolag.
  10. Van Gorkom, N. (2010). Understanding Reality. Bangkok: Zolag.
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  12. De Silva, C. L. A. (1979). A Treatise on Buddhist Philosophy of Abhidhamma. Colombo: Lake House.
  1. Journal Articles
  1. Evans, S. (2019). Book Review: Abhidhamma Studies Research in Buddhist Psychology. Journal of International Buddhist Studies College, 5(2), 120–126.
  2. Mahapunyo, P. A. (2023). The Application of the Abhidhamma to Promote Well-Being in Daily Life. Journal of Buddhist Anthropology, 8(1), 45–63.
  3. Malik, A. (2025). Transforming Emotional Patterns with Buddhist Psychology with Special Focus on Muditā Bhāvanā. Integrated Journal for Research in Arts and Humanities, 5(1), 18–29.
  4. Peykaeo, R., et al. (2022). The Mental Development in Abhidhamma Pitaka Course. Journal of MBU Humanities, 14(2), 67–82.
  5. Suwannawong, W. (2024). The Origins and Development of Abhidhamma. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities, 17(1), 1–18.
  6. Upadhyaya, K. (2021). Buddhist Psychology, Mind and Consciousness. Journal of Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal, 10(2), 55–63.
  7. Vimala. (2025). The Application of the Concept of Saṅkhāra in Buddhist Psychology. Journal of International Buddhist Studies, 9(1), 85–101.
  1. Doctoral Theses
  1. Deshpande, R. (2016). A Study of Consciousness in Abhidhamma Philosophy (Doctoral dissertation). University of Mumbai, Mumbai.
  2. Gajbhiye, M. N. (2016). A Critical Analysis of Abhidhamma Piṭaka and How Abhidhamma Relates to Psychology (Doctoral thesis). Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur.
  3. Shinde, P. (2019). Buddhist Psychology and Mental Health: An Abhidhamma Perspective (Doctoral dissertation). Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune.
  4. Anand, M. (1993). Abhidhamma Sāhityācā Mānasashāstrīya Abhyāsa (Doctoral thesis). Nagpur University, Nagpur.

 

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