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Gates of Consciousness: Buddhist Phenomenology of Cognition in the Abhidhamma

Federico Divino

Philosophies June 10, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/philosophies10030068 (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Buddhism Philosophy of mind
Key points Argues that the Pāli Abhidhamma codifies a genuine Buddhist phenomenology that converges with Husserl's phenomenology in significant respects, though the two do not perfectly coincide. Proposes that a Buddhist phenomenology based on its own methodology could enrich phenomenological methodology rather than being limited by its differences from Husserl's approach.

Abstract

This article aims to provide a comparative analysis between Husserl’s phenomenology and the Pāli Abhidhamma. To conduct this analysis, I will mainly draw on some books of the Abhidhamma and three works by Husserl. What emerges from this study are interesting convergences between the two systems of thought, which allow us to consider, in some respects, a true Buddhist phenomenology codified in the Abhidhamma. While not perfectly coinciding with Husserl’s phenomenology, it is similar enough to allow for a comparative study and perhaps even more. The intent is also to propose the possibilities of a true Buddhist phenomenology based on its methodology, and thus, not to see differences with Husserl’s approach as a limitation, but as something that can enrich the phenomenological methodology itself.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. 2006 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience 1995 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being 2005 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World 2017 Theoretical or philosophical paper
From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory 2016 Theoretical or philosophical paper

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Buddhism Philosophy of mind