Glossary
asevana paccaya = repetition condition
javana = alacrity, readiness, impulse
javana panna = of alert intellection
javana kusala citta = proficiency in attention consciousness
paccaya = condition
puja = veneration
sabbannuta-nnana = omniscience
Dr Mehm Tin Mon writes in "The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma" (pp. 328, 333, 341):
When we read a difficult passage, we may not understand it at first. But if we keep on reading it again and again, we usually understand it better. Also in learning by heart through constant repetition (rote learning), the later recitation becomes gradually easier and easier. So we may say that earlier learning aids helps later learning by means of repetition condition.
Similarly in applying sandalwood lotion or make-up to the face, one should not apply a thick layer just once. One should apply a thin layer first, fan it to dry, and then apply another layer - and another layer. The earlier applications will aid the later applications by repetition condition to be firmer and smoother and also to smell sweeter.
Pali words and texts are often recited singly or in groups as a form of veneration (puja) to Lord Buddha's sabbannuta-nnana (omniscience).
Many wish to understand the meanings of this pali. Without the background of Abhidhamma, however, it would be very hard to understand them. But with the knowledge we have so far acquired from this book, it would not be difficult to understand them. A direct translation of the patthana-niddesa pali will be given here to enable the reader to understand the meanings in reciting the pali.
(i)Preceding javana kusala citta and their concomitants are related to subsequent javana kusala citta (proficiency in attention consciousness) and their concomitants by repetition condition.
(ii)Preceding javana akusala citta and their concomitants are related to subsequent javana akusala citta and their concomitants by repetition condition
(iii)Preceding functional indeterminate dhammas are related to subsequent functional indeterminate dhammas by repetition condition.
The order of how we learn is to first learn the pali word, and the understanding will follow. If you cannot name something, you do not know what it is.
Tonight in Abhidhamma class we will rote learn and recite the complete charts on citta and cetasika at the end of Dr Mon's book by using repetition condition (asevana paccaya) as a learning aid.
References
Mon, Dr. Mehm Tin (1995), "The Essence of Buddha Abhidhamma", Publisher Mehm Tay Zar Mon, Yangon
The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary, Pali Text Society, Chipstead, 1921-1925, London, http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/index.html, accessed 7 October 2003
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