大乘義章 1.17

1.17

阿毘曇者，名別有四：一名優婆提舍；二名阿毘曇；三名摩德勒伽，亦云摩多羅迦，此正一名，傳之音異；四名摩夷。優婆提舍，此正名論，論諸法故。阿毘曇者，此方正翻名無比法，阿謂無也、毘謂比也、曇摩名法。解釋有二：一就教論、二據行辨。言就教者，三藏之中毘曇最為分別中勝，故曰無比。言就行者，毘曇詮慧，慧行最勝，故曰無比。毘曇之教詮此勝行，故名無比。又能生彼無比之慧，故曰無比。摩德勒伽，此方正翻名行境界。辨彰行儀、起行所依，名行境界。言摩夷者，此名行母。辨詮行法，能生行故，名為行母。與前境界，其義相似。此三之中，各有苞含蘊積名藏。三藏名義，略之麁爾。

Regarding "abhidharma," there are four different names: first, upadeśa; second, abhidharma; third, mātṛkā, also called mātārikā—this is actually one name, transmitted with differing pronunciations; fourth, mātṛ (māyí). Upadeśa is properly called "treatise" (lùn) here, because it treats of all dharmas. As for abhidharma, the correct translation in this land is "incomparable dharma" (wúbǐ fǎ): a- means "without," bhi- means "comparison," and dharma means "phenomena/dharma." The explanation has two aspects: 1. discussing it in terms of the teaching; 2. distinguishing it based on practice. As for discussing it in terms of the teaching: among the three piṭakas, the abhidharma is supreme in analytical distinction; hence it is called "incomparable." As for discussing it in terms of practice: the abhidharma expresses wisdom (prajñā), and the practice of wisdom is most supreme; hence it is called "incomparable." The teaching of the abhidharma expresses this supreme practice; hence it is named "incomparable." Furthermore, it can generate that incomparable wisdom; hence it is called "incomparable." Mātṛkā: the correct translation in this land is "sphere of practice" (xíng jìngjiè). Making clear the deportment of practice and serving as the basis from which practice arises is named "sphere of practice." As for "māyí" (mātṛ): here it is called "mother of practice" (xíngmǔ). Because it distinguishes and explains the dharmas of practice and can give birth to practice, it is named "mother of practice." Its meaning is similar to the preceding "sphere." Among these three [collections], each contains and accumulates [teachings], which is called a "piṭaka" (treasury/basket). The names and meanings of the three piṭakas are thus roughly sketched.