Summary: The Saṅkhyāvāra is the concluding structural component for each division of the Paṭṭhāna. It provides the mathematical "count" of all possible valid conditional combinations discovered in the preceding analysis. It serves as a summary and a verification of the completeness of the investigation. (Patth 1)
Canonical locus
The Saṅkhyāvāra appears at the end of each triad or dyad analysis, providing the final numerical tally.
Patth 1.2 (patthana1.2:56.0.1–56.1)
Saṅkhyāvāra
Hetuyā nava, ārammaṇe tīṇi...
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"Counting section. In cause-condition, nine; in object-condition, three..."
Analysis
The Saṅkhyāvāra summarizes the entire permutation field: (Patth 1)
- Enumeration: It lists each of the twenty-four conditions and states how many valid relations were found for the current triad or dyad.
- Combination: It investigates how many ways the conditions themselves can be combined (e.g., how many relations are simultaneously hetu and ārammaṇa).
This section demonstrates the Paṭṭhāna's commitment to mathematical precision. It ensures that every potential relationship has been accounted for, making the book a "closed" logical system of conditionality. (Patth 1)
Textual notes
- The Saṅkhyāvāra is often abbreviated in manuscripts because the numbers follow strict logical patterns.
- It highlights the "matrix" nature of the Abhidhamma, where doctrine is treated as a finite set of variables to be counted and categorized.
Related concepts
Related pages
- patthana (text)
- dhatukatha (which also uses counting to verify its matrices)