|
ABHIDHAMMA IN A NUTSHELL - XI:
Containments in Mind
Shamika Soysa
The Reality of Mental States (Chethasika Paramaththa)
The first ten episodes elaborated various types of consciousness
arise for oneself. At one particular instance it is just one
consciousness arises. But it doesn't arise alone. The consciousness
arise at one particular moment is associated with many other features
which are called "Mental States" or Chethasika. These mental states
feature the consciousness and it describes the nature and behavior of a
particular consciousness. The second Paramaththa is about these mental
states.
Four main characteristics of Chethasika
Chiththa and Chethasika are coupled with each other and do not arise
separated. Based on that four main features are identified in
Chethasikas;
1. Chethasika arise together with consciousness - Eka+Uppadha =
Ekuppadha
2. Chethasika perishes together with consciousness - Eka+Nirodha =
Ekanirodha
3. Chethasika has the common object as with consciousness -
Eka+Arammana = Ekarammana
4. Chethasika has the common basis as with consciousness -
Eka+Vaththuka - Ekavaththuka
There are 52 types of Chethasikas which arise accordingly with 89 or
121 types of Chiththas. One or more Chethasika would arise with any of
the Chiththa. Some arise with all Chiththas, some arise occasionally
with all Chiththas, some with Kusala Chiththas and some with Akusala
Chiththas.
There are 13 Chethasikas which may arise with both Kusala Chiththas
and Akusala Chiththas. Since they commonly arise with both categories
they are known as Annasamana Chethasika. Seven out of Annasamana
Chethasikas contains in all the Chiththas. They are known as "Universal
Mental States" or Sabba Chiththa Sadharana Chethasikas. Rest of the six
of Annasamanas may or may not contain in all of the Chethasikas and they
are known as "Particularas" or Prakirnaka Chethasikas.
Then there are 14 types of "Immoral Mental States" or Akusala
Chethasikas which arise only with Akusala Chiththas. The rest of 25
Chethasikas are "Moral Mental States" or Sobhana Chethasikas. The first
19 of them is common to every Beautiful Consciousness. Therefore they
are known as Sobhana Sadharana Chethasikas. Then there are three
"Abstinences" (Virathi): two "Illimitables" (Appamanna) and one "Wisdom"
(Panna) mental states.
The diagram summarises the above categories.
How it works
For example consider the first Immoral Consciousness described in
Chiththa Paramaththa. That is Somanassa sahagatha Dhittigatha
Samprayuktha Asankharika Chiththa. With this Chiththa all seven Sabba
chiththa sadharana chethasikas must arise. Some of the Prakirnaka
Chethasikas also may arise. The Annasamanas contained in this Chiththa
would take the form of immoral. Then, some of the 14 Chethasikas would
also arise. But, none of the 25 types of Sobhana Chethasikas will not
arise with this Chiththa.
That is how it works and the exact Chethasikas arise with the above
Akusala Chiththa would be explained during the study of 52 Chethasikas.
[email protected]
(The writer was an Abhidhamma teacher in Dhamma schools) |
