Abhidharma is a key component of Buddhist philosophy and scholasticism that emerged as a distinct tradition within Buddhism. It is not directly found in the sutras (also spelled as "suttas" in Pali), which are the discourses of the historical Buddha, Siddartha Gautama. Instead, Abhidharm developed as a systematic and analytical elaboration of the teachings found in the sutras.
The sutras contain the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, presented in more narrative and discursive form. These teachings cover a wide range of topics, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the nature of suffering, impermanence, and various meditation techniques. While the sutras offer a comprehensive overview of the Buddha's teachings, they do not provide the kind of detailed, systematic analysis that Abhidharma texts do.
The Abhidharma texts were composed by Buddhist scholars and monks in the centuries following the Buddha's death. They aimed to categorize, systematize, and analyze the teachings found in the sutras. The word "Abhidharma" can be roughly translated as "higher" or "further" dharma, indicating a more advanced or refined understanding of the Buddha's teachings.
Furthermore, various Abhidhamma traditions exist within Buddhism, with the Theravada Abhidhamma being one of the most well-known. In the Theravada tradition, the Abhidhamma Pitaka is a collection of texts offering a highly detailed and systematic analysis of Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon. Other Buddhist traditions, such as the Mahayana, also have their own Abhidharma texts, which may differ significantly from Theravada Abhidharma in terms of content and approach.
In conclusion, Abhidharma did not originate directly from the sutras but evolved as a scholarly tradition that sought to expound and systematize the teachings found in the Buddhist sutras. It is a product of Buddhism's intellectual and philosophical development in the centuries following the Buddha's lifetime.
