International Conference: Unravelling the Matrix: Paṭṭhāna, Bhavaṅga, and Abhidhamma Meditation

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Writing Workshop:  7-8 November 2019, 8:30am-5:00pm

Conference: 9-10 November 2019, 8:30am-5:00pm

Dhamma Hall, Shan State Buddhist University, Taunggyi, Myanmar

Although Abhidhamma is sometimes described as Theravāda philosophy or metaphysics, it encompasses more than this: it systematises and draws out the implications of Buddhist doctrine, particularly causality; it addresses psychology, ethics, cosmology and the path to liberation. Until very recently, little attention had been paid to Theravāda Abhidhamma as a living and/or lived tradition. There are many applications of Abhidhamma in Theravāda societies such as its pervasive roles in Buddhist scholarship and literary traditions as well as its application in indigenous Burmese medicine, apotropaic practice and meditation.

Shan State Buddhist University, Myanmar organised a writing workshop and a conference on Abhidhamma on 7-10 November 2019, bringing together traditional teachers and contemporary scholars working on different aspects of Theravāda Abhidhammato to explore the doctrine, practices, literary traditions and applications of Abhidhamma, and aiming to make Abhidhamma more accessible. The conference was part of a growing interest in not only theoretical discussions on Abhidhamma but also its applications and living expressions in Theravada societies and beyond. The main themes of the conference were:

  1. Paṭṭhāna;
  2. Mental processes according to Abhidhamma, including Bhavaṅga;
  3. Abhidhamma andmeditation;
  4. Applications of Abhidhamma in apotropaic practices and in Buddhist chaplaincy.

Speakers at the conference included Abhidhamma teachers and scholars from Myanmar, Thailand, China, United Kingdom and Canada.

The workshop and conference were generously supported by Miss Patchathorn Kittinukulsilp and Devotees Group, Thailand; Max Myanmar Holding Co., Ltd., Myanmar; Shwe Kyun Hotel, Taunggyi, Myanmar, and the Transnational Network of Theravada Studies (TNTS).

Enquiries, contact Ven. Dr. Pandavabhipala at ssbu.dr.pandava@gmail.comor Dr. Pyi Phyo Kyaw at ssbu.pyi.p.kyaw@gmail.com.

In the end, the matrix was unravelled!

Photographs by Sao Sumana Seng Lao, Maha Anan, A Tai MP, King Tai and Kham Juen courtesy of Shan State Buddhist University.