Abhidharma (or Abhidhamma in the Pali language of the Theravada tradition) is a core body of teaching in Buddhism.

​It can be summarized as the systematic, philosophical, and psychological analysis of the Buddha's teachings.

​Here is a breakdown of what Abhidharma is:

​Higher or Special Teaching

• ​Translation: The term is generally translated as "Higher Teaching" or "Special Doctrine." Abhi means "higher" or "special," and Dharma refers to the Buddha's teachings or the ultimate nature of reality.

• ​Purpose: It takes the principles scattered throughout the Buddha's discourses (Sūtras or Suttas) and organizes them into a meticulous, analytical, and highly technical system.

​Buddhism's Map of the Mind and Reality

​Abhidharma focuses intensely on two main areas:

1. ​Analysis of Experience (Dharmas): It breaks down all of existence, both mental and physical, into its ultimate constituent parts, called Dharmas (factors of existence). The goal is to show that reality is a constant flow of these momentary, impersonal elements, which helps practitioners overcome the illusion of a permanent "self."

1. ​Buddhist Psychology: It provides a detailed, comprehensive taxonomy of the mind. It meticulously categorizes and defines:
   • ​Consciousness (types and moments of awareness).
   • ​Mental Factors (such as intention, mindfulness, greed, compassion, wisdom, and delusion) and how they arise together.
   • ​Causal Relations (how mental and physical phenomena condition and relate to one another).

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​Part of the Buddhist Canon

​In traditional Buddhism, the Abhidharma texts form the third major division of the Buddhist canon (known as the Tripitaka or "Three Baskets"):

1. ​Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic discipline and rules.

1. ​Sūtra/Sutta Pitaka: The discourses and sermons attributed to the Buddha.

1. ​Abhidharma Pitaka: The detailed scholastic analysis and philosophical system.

​In short, while the Sūtras often teach how to live through stories, metaphors, and ethical guidelines, the Abhidharma seeks to explain how the world and mind fundamentally work with analytical rigor, providing a deep theoretical foundation for meditation and the path to liberation.