Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Introduction to 3.1.4
Vibhaṅgasuttaṃ
(Exposition of what is the Eightfold Noble Path)
Vibhaṅgasutta literally means a text about distinction and classification. Vibhaṅga is a detailed explanation and determination of the respective subjects. This present sutta from the Maggasaṃyuttaṃ of the Saṃyuttanikāyo describes the Noble Eightfold Path in more detail than it has occurred until now and is split into its respective different parts and placed accordingly to the links of the Eightfold Noble Path described in the following chapters. This present short text is simply the introduction to the complete sutta (see lessons 3.2.2; 3.3.1; 3.4.2; etc).
Vibhaṅga is also the title of the second book of the Abhidhamma Piṭaka, known as ‘Book of Analysis’ which deals in detail with the meaning and classification of important terms of Dhamma, such as khanda, ayatana, dhātu, āhāra, indriya, etc. A few thoughts on the Abhidhamma Piṭaka will be introduced at a later chapter (5.16.)
