The Puggalapaññatti (IAST: Pudgalaprajñapti; ) is a Buddhist scripture, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, included in the Abhidhamma Pitaka. It contains the least material among the seven texts of the Abhidhamma and is distinct in that it discusses persons rather than emphasizing ultimate realities (paramattha dhammas) or mental phenomena, as in other Abhidhamma texts. Its linguistic style resembles declarative sentences found in the Sutta Pitaka, particularly in the Anguttara Nikaya and the Sangiti Sutta of the Digha Nikaya, whereas the Abhidhamma Pitaka typically uses an enumerative style.Nyanatiloka Thera. (2008). Guide Through The Abhidhamma Pitaka, p. 80 In Thai editions of the Tipiṭaka, the Puggalapaññatti is often combined with the Dhātukathā due to its relatively short content.
Content
The Puggalapaññatti deals with the classification of different types of persons, defining the terms used to describe individuals according to their qualities. For example, a "stream-enterer" (Sotāpanna) refers to a person who has abandoned the first three fetters.Phra Dhammapitaka (P.A. Payutto). (2008). Buddhist Dictionary, Compiled Edition, p. 116
It begins with a matika that classifies six types of designations, as stated in Pali: "Cha paññattiyo – khandha-paññatti, āyatana-paññatti, dhātu-paññatti, sacca-paññatti, indriya-paññatti, puggalapaññatti." This translates as six designations: 1. Khandha-paññatti (designation of aggregates), 2. Āyatana-paññatti (designation of sense bases), 3. Dhātu-paññatti (designation of elements), 4. Sacca-paññatti (designation of truths), 5. Indriya-paññatti (designation of faculties), 6. Puggalapaññatti (designation of persons).Tipiṭaka, Sixth Council Pali EditionAbhidhamma Pitaka, Dhātukathā-Puggalapaññatti, Vol. 3, p. 155 These six designations are further subdivided into 5 aggregates, 12 sense bases, 18 elements, 4 truths (Four Noble Truths), and 22 faculties.Karl H. Potter. (2011). Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies Vol. VII
The classification of different types of persons provides more detailed subdivisions. Each matika specifies the number of persons in that group. For example, the Ekaka-matika covers a single type of person, such as ordinary persons, those eligible to attain the path and fruition, noble persons, and non-noble persons.Abhidhamma Pitaka, Dhātukathā-Puggalapaññatti, Vol. 3, p. 160 The enumeration continues up to the Dasaka-matika, which covers ten types of persons: five types of noble persons in the sensual realm, and five types of noble persons after leaving the sensual realm.Abhidhamma Pitaka, Dhātukathā-Puggalapaññatti, Vol. 3, p. 178 The first five categories include three types of stream-enterers, the once-returner, and the arahant. The latter five categories include five types of non-returners who attain final Nibbāna in the pure abodes.Suchip Punyanuparp. (2007). Tipiṭaka for the People, p. 58
Related Texts
Puggalapaññatti-pakaraṇa-atthakathā or Paramatthateepaṇī by Buddhaghosa, also called Pañcapaṅkaraṇattakathā, composed in the 5th century.Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature, p. 176 Puggalapaññatti-mūlaṭīkā or Pañcapaṅkaraṇamūlaṭīkā, also called Pañcapaṅkaraṇapakasinī, Leenaṭṭhajotika, Leenaṭṭhajotana, or Leenaṭṭhapatthavannā, composed by Ānanda Thera in the 6th century or around the 8th–9th centuries.Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature, p. 176 Puggalapaññatti-anuddīkā or Pañcapaṅkaraṇānuddīkā, also called Leenaṭṭhāvannā, Leenaṭṭhapakāsinī, or Abhidhamma-anuddīkā, composed by Chulladhammapāla in the 6th century or around the 8th–9th centuries.Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature, p. 176 Puggalapaññatti-yojanā or Puggalapaññatti-atthayojanā, composed by Ñāṇakitti in Chiang Mai in the 15th century.Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature, p. 176 Puggalapaññatti-kaṇṭhī, author unknown.Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature, p. 176
Translations A Designation of Human Types, tr B. C. Law, 1922, Pali Text Society, Bristol,
See also Buddhist personality types
External links Pali text and English translation at suttacentral.net
References
Bibliography Tipiṭaka, Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Edition, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Dhātukathā-Puggalapaññatti, Vol. 3, p. 155 Tipiṭaka, Sixth Council Pali Edition, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Puggalapaññatti, Matika Suchip Punyanuparp. (2007). Tipiṭaka for the People. Bangkok: Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture Phra Dhammapitaka (P.A. Payutto). (2008). Buddhist Dictionary, Compiled Edition, 11th edition Nyanatiloka Thera. (2008). Guide Through The Abhidhamma Pitaka. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society Karl H. Potter. (2011). Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies Vol. VII: Abhidharma Buddhism to 150 A.D. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Bhikkhu Nyanatusita (Compiler), R. Webb (Editor). (2012). An Analysis of the Pali Canon and a Reference Table of Pali Literature. Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society