ABSTRACT
The context in which we should see the ‘Five Points’ is then that of the abhidhamma debates which refine the interpretation of some of the more recondite points of suttanta teaching. We shall see that such a context gives little support to notions which see the ‘Five Points’ as involving some kind of downgrading of the arahat as against a Buddha. This is not the issue. If there is a downgrading, it is rather a devaluing of the arahat who has not developed the abhiññā.
