Ledi Sayadaw's take on the Abhidhamma

Discussion of Abhidhamma and related Commentaries
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User156079
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Ledi Sayadaw's take on the Abhidhamma

Post by User156079 »

I have read that Ven. Ledi Sayadaw seemingly criticised parts of the Abhidhamma:
The central question driving this chapter is why Ledi’s highly technical and complex Abhidhamma commentary, the Paramatthadīpanī, caused tremendous controversy starting from its publication in 1901. Examination of the Paramatthadīpanī and the works opposed to it, as well as the reactions to Ledi’s text in the social sphere, demonstrate that the controversy stemmed not from doctrinal disagreements, but from Ledi’s confrontational style. His numerous dismissals of authoritative interpretations of the revered and fragile Abhidhamma exacerbated Burmese people’s perception of the decline of Buddhism under British colonialism, particularly with the arrival of a print culture that spread the Paramatthadīpanī far beyond the scholarly elite. The chapter thus shows the importance of the Abhidhamma to Burmese Buddhism; it also shows a powerful way that Ledi made a national name for himself, even as he learned about the power of print capitalism and the readiness of the laity to learn doctrine.
Does anybody know where i can find the translated work of his or a summary? :thanks:
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Idappaccayata
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Re: Ledi Sayadaw's take on the Abhidhamma

Post by Idappaccayata »

This isn't his translated work, but have you read "the birth of insight" by erik braun? It talks about how ledi revitalized lay interest in meditation, and was one of the first to teach abhidhamma to lay people.
A dying man can only rely upon his wisdom, if he developed it. Wisdom is not dependent upon any phenomenon originated upon six senses. It is developed on the basis of the discernment of the same. That’s why when one’s senses start to wither and die, the knowledge of their nature remains unaffected. When there is no wisdom, there will be despair, in the face of death.

- Ajahn Nyanamoli Thero
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