Burmese manuscript containing the Kathāvatthu with an over 4 m long sazigyo (ribbon) made in the tablet weaving technique on a backstrap loom with dedicatory inscription in Burmese language, 19th century. British Library
Kathāvatthu (Pāli) (Vietnamese: Bộ Ngữ Tông (Biện Giải); abbreviated Kv, Kvu; transl."Points of Controversy") is a Buddhist scripture, one of the seven books in the TheravadaAbhidhamma Pitaka. The text contrasts the orthodox Theravada position on a range of issues to the heterodox views of various interlocutors; the latter are not identified in the primary source text, but were speculatively identified with specific schools of thought in the (historically subsequent) commentaries. The original text is putatively dated to coincide with the reign of King Ashoka (around 240 B.C.), but this, too, is debatable.[1]
Organization
The Kathavatthu documents over 200 points of contention.[2] The debated points are divided into four paṇṇāsaka (lit., "group of 50"). Each paṇṇāsaka is again divided, into 20 chapters (vagga) in all. In addition, three more vagga follow the four paṇṇāsaka.[3]
Each chapter contains questions and answers by means of which the most diverse views are presented, refuted and rejected. The form of the debates gives no identification of the participants, and does not step outside the debate to state explicitly which side is right.
The views deemed non-heretical by the commentary's interpretation of the Katthavatthu were embraced by the Theravada denomination. According to the Commentaries those whose views were rejected include the Sarvastivada.[4]
Doctrinal positions
The text focuses on refuting the views of various Buddhist schools, these include:[5]
The views of the Pudgalavada school, which held that a 'person' exists as a real and ultimate fact and that it transmigrates from one life to the next.
That a perfected being (Arhat) can fall away from perfection.
The views of the Sarvastivadins, that "all [dharmas] exists" in the three times (past, present, future), a form of temporal eternalism.