維摩經玄疏 3.8

3.8

三、阿毘曇藏者，阿毘曇，此翻言「無比法」，聖人智慧，分別法義，戒定無比，故云「無比法」。若佛自分別法相義，若弟子分別法相，皆名「阿毘曇」也。

Third, as for the abhidharma collection (*abhidharma-piṭaka*): *abhidharma* is translated as "peerless dharma"; the wisdom of the noble ones distinguishes the meanings of dharmas, incomparable in precepts and concentration, and is therefore called "peerless dharma." Whether the Buddha himself distinguishes the characteristics and meanings of dharmas, or his disciples distinguish the characteristics of dharmas, both are called *abhidharma*.