The Paṭṭhāna (Pali:, Sanskrit: , Jñāna-prasthāna, Mahā-Pakaraṇa, Paṭṭhāna-Pakaraṇa, "Book of Causal Relationships") is a Buddhist scripture. It is the seventh and final text of the Abhidhamma Pitaka ("Basket of Higher Doctrine"), which is one of the "Tripiṭaka-Three Baskets" of canonical Theravada Buddhist texts collectively known as the Pali Canon. The Paṭṭhāna consists of three divisions (Eka, Duka, and Tīka). It provides a detailed examination of causal conditioning, (the Buddhist belief that causality — not a Creator deity — is the basis of existence), analyzing the 24 types of conditional relations (paccaya) in relation to the classifications in the matika of the Dhammasangani. This book emphasizes the point that — apart from nirvana, which is absolute — all other phenomena are relative (dependently arisen) in one way or another. The Paṭṭhāna is the most popular paritta (protective text) in Myanmar. In Burmese Buddhism, the scripture is ritually recited by monks and laypeople for protection, and Burmese Buddhists believe the Paṭṭhāna can guard against threats and dangers, please helpful gods, and ward off evil spirits.

24 conditional relations

According to the Paṭṭhāna dhamma, all corporeal and mental phenomena are dependent upon some combination of 24 possible conditions. These conditions or paccayas are: All of these 24 conditions may in fact be reduced to only four conditions: Object (ārammana paccaya), Decisive support (upanissaya paccaya), Karma (kamma paccaya), and Presence (atthi paccaya).

English translations

Cited works