The History of Buddhist Thought c20.35

c20.35

Throughout the Abhidharma schools the same general conception prevails that existence does not consist of a primary substance, whether material or spiritual, but of a number of elements, *dharmas*. The classification of these and the problems of their interrelations form the primary question. The same material is classified in different ways from different points of view. The *dharmas*, of which there are seventy-five in Vasubandhu’s scheme, are either compounded or uncompounded. The uncompounded are three, space and two *nirodhas* or cessations, (1) cessation by comprehension of the truths, (2) cessation not through knowledge, but by extinction of the cause, as when a fire goes out. This distinction was denied by the Theravādins on the ground that it made two Nirvāṇas (*Kathāv.*, ii, 11).