The first book, in the accepted order of precedence, of the Abhidhamma Pitaka. It deals with more or less the same topics as the Nikáyas, differing only in methods of treatment; the chief subject is that of ethics, the enquiry thereinto being conducted from a psychological standpoint. The book enumerates and defines a number of categories of terms occurring in the Nikáyas.
There is in existence a commentary on the book, written by Buddhaghosa and called the Atthasáliní. King Vijayabáhu I, of Ceylon translated the Dhammasangani into Sinhalese (Cv.lx.17), but this translation is now lost. The work has been translated into English. The text is published by the P.T.S. (1885), and the translation (by Mrs. Rhys Davids) is published by the R.A.S., under the title of A Buddhist Manual of Psychological Ethics.
The Dhammasangani appears to have been also called Dhammasangaha (DA.i.17).