Prepared by
Evelin Halls, DipFLC
Pennie White, BA DipEd
Abhidhamma Class No. 51, 10 June 2003
Association of each cetasika with different cittas
Glossary
citta: consciousness of the senses, awareness of an object. Synonymous terms in Abhidhamma: ceta, cittuppada, mana, mano, vinnana.
cetasika: mental factors or mental concomitants
nibbana: extinction of defilements and suffering; absolute lasting peace
rupa: corporeality or material quality
sadharana: associate with
Dr Mehm Tin Mon (1995) writes: “Abhidhamma knowledge is neither speculative knowledge nor higher knowledge for knowledge sake. Abhidhamma knowledge is to be learned, digested and practised for the sake of enlightenment and liberation from all miseries (p 112).
“In Abhidhamma Buddha has analysed the mind to its ultimate components called citta and cetasikas. These components are the ultimate realities known as paramatthas. They are so subtle that they have no form and shape and thus they cannot be seen even under the most powerful electronic microscope (p 110).
“...citta is an ultimate entity with the characteristic of awareness of an object. The 52 cetasikas are also different ultimate entities with different characteristics. By the various but systematic combinations of cetasikas with citta, 89 types of consciousness in brief or 121 types of consciousness in broad total come into existence (p 110).
“If one can see the functions of these ultimate things, one can understand that there is no self nor soul nor person, and thus can discard the false view of ‘personality-belief’ (sakkaya-ditthi) (p 111).
“Can these combinations of cittas and cetasikas be seen and differentiated as they dissolve as soon as they arise?” The answer is “yes”. How can we see?
“We have to develop our concentration (samadhi) first. When accompanied by upacara samadhi or jhana samadhi, the inner mind (mano-vinnana) can see the combinations of cittas and cetasikas and analyse them.
The methods of analysis are described in the Buddhist canons such as Samyutta Nikaya (2,12), Samadhi Sutta, Visudhi Magga (2,222), Bodhipakkiya Dipani and Kammathan Kyangyi by the Ledi Sayadaw of Myanmar, etc. (p 112-113)
The Association of each Cetasika with different Cittas (see page 96):
(i) the 7 sabbacitta-sadharanas (essentials) associate with all cittas
The seven sabbacitta-sadharanas or essentials or primary cetasikas associate collectively with all cittas. Consciousness of an object by citta is accomplished with the help of these cetasikas. See pages 67-71. They are:
1. Phassa = contact or mental impression
2. Vedana = feeling
3. Sanna = perception
4. Cetana = volition or intention
5. Ekaggata = one-pointedness, concentration (samadhi)
6. Jivitindriya = vitality
7. Manasikara = attention or advertence
(ii) the 6 pakinnakas (particulars) associate with certain sobhana and asobhana cittas
These six cetasikas may associate both with sobhana and asobhana cittas, but not with all of them. They associate only with those cittas with which they should associate. See pages 72-76.
The 6 pakinnakas (particulars) are:
1. Vitakka = initial application or thought conception
2. Vicara = sustained application or discursive thinking
3. Adhimokkha = decision or determination
4. Viriya = effort or energy or exertion
5. Piti = rapture or interest
6. Chanda = wish, desire or will
(iii) the 14 akusala cetasikas (immorals) associate only with immoral cittas
(iv) the 4 akusala sadharanas are linked with all immoral cittas
(v) the 19 sobhana sadharanas are linked with all sobhana cittas
(vi) the remaining 6 sobhana cetasikas (beautiful ones) associate only with sobhana cittas
In this class, we will study some charts in the book “The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma”, i.e., chart no 2 on Sampayoga method for a detailed survey of the combination of each cetasika with different cittas.
Remember Abhidhamma as
ji je roo ni.
References
Mon, Dr. Mehm Tin (1995), “The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma”, publisher Mehm Tay Zar Mon, Yangon, pp 67-76, 96, 110-113
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