Definition: In the Abhidhamma, uddesa refers to a "summary statement" or the brief enumeration of a doctrinal list. It is the structural counterpart to niddesa (detailed exposition). An uddesa provides the raw categories that will subsequently be analyzed in depth.
Canonical usage
The Yamaka uses uddesa to list the questions that will be answered in the following exposition.
Yam 1.1 (ya1.1.1:0.3)
Mūlavārauddeso.
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"Summary of the section on roots."
In the Paṭṭhāna, the Paccayuddesa is the famous opening list of the twenty-four conditions, stated without analysis.
Nuances and translation notes
- Uddesa literally means "pointing out" or "indicating".
- In the Abhidhamma method, every detailed analysis is preceded by a concise uddesa to establish the scope of the investigation.
Related concepts
- niddesa — the detailed exposition or analysis
- matika — the matrix or schedule of terms
- paccayuddesa