The Essence of Scholasticism is a meditation manual leading to arhatship. It is the central text of the westernmost part of the Gandharan cultural area, e.e. Bactria. Probably composed in the first century BCE, it was commented on and elaborated in several sastras the best known being the Abhidharmakosabhasya of the fifth century. The Essence and the Astagrantha are the basic treatises of the non-Vaibhasika sarvastivadins, i.e. of the sautrantikas of the Gandharan cultural area.

English-Chinese Text

The Essence of Scholasticism: Abhidharmahrdaya, Charles Willemen, Motilal Banarsidass, Hardcover, 2006, 357 pages, $33.00

Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction

1. The Elements.
2.Formations.
3. Actions.
4.Urges.
5. The Noble.
6. Knowledge.
7. Concentration.
8. Scriptural text.
9. Miscellaneous.
10. Discourse.

List of Sanskrit Terms
Chinese-Sanskrit-English Glossary

Bibliography