Summary: The Paccayaniddesa is the second section of the Paṭṭhāna. It provides the precise Abhidhamma definitions for each of the twenty-four conditional relations enumerated in the paccayuddesa. It describes exactly how mental and physical phenomena serve as conditions for one another in each mode. (Patth 1)
Canonical locus
The Paccayaniddesa follows immediately after the summary list, providing the first level of analytical detail.
Patth 1.1 (patthana1.1:4.1)
Hetupaccayoti—hetū hetusampayuttakānaṁ dhammānaṁ taṁsamuṭṭhānānañca rūpānaṁ hetupaccayena paccayo.
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"Cause-condition: those dhammas which are causes are related to the dhammas associated with them and to the matter produced by them by way of cause-condition."
Analysis
For each condition, the Paccayaniddesa specifies: (Patth 1)
- The Conditioning Dhamma (paccaya-dhamma): The factor that provides the support (e.g., the root of greed).
- The Conditioned Dhamma (paccayuppanna-dhamma): The factors that arise in dependence (e.g., the consciousness associated with greed).
- The Material Result: The physical phenomena produced or supported by the relation.
This section is the foundation for all subsequent combinatorial analysis in the Paṭṭhāna, as it establishes the technical "rules" for how each relation operates. (Patth 1)
Textual notes
- The Paccayaniddesa is the primary source for understanding the mechanics of Buddhist conditionality.
- It translates the general principle of idappaccayatā (dependent origination) into a rigorous, multi-faceted psychological and physical model.
Related concepts
Related pages
- patthana (text)
- dhammasangani