Mental factors ( sa, चैतसिक, caitasika or ''chitta samskara'' ;
pi, cetasika;
Tibetan
Tibetan may mean:
* of, from, or related to Tibet
* Tibetan people, an ethnic group
* Tibetan language:
** Classical Tibetan, the classical language used also as a contemporary written standard
** Standard Tibetan, the most widely used spoken dial ...
: སེམས་བྱུང ''sems byung''), in
Buddhism
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
, are identified within the teachings of the
Abhidhamma (Buddhist psychology). They are defined as aspects of the mind that apprehend the quality of an object, and that have the ability to color the mind. Within the Abhidhamma, the mental factors are categorized as formations ( sa,
samskara) concurrent with mind ( sa, citta).
[Guenther (1975), Kindle Location 321.][Kunsang (2004), p. 23.][Geshe Tashi Tsering (2006), Kindle Location 456.] Alternate translations for mental factors include "mental states", "mental events", and "concomitants of consciousness".
Introduction
Mental factors are aspects of the mind that apprehend the quality of an object and have the ability to color the mind. Geshe Tashi Tsering explains:
:The Tibetan for mental factors, ''semlay jungwa chö'' (Skt. ''chaitasika dharma''), means phenomena arising from the mind, suggesting that the mental factors are not primary to the mind but arise within a larger framework. A mental factor, again, is defined as the aspect of the mind that apprehends a particular quality of an object. Because it is characterized by the qualities of activity and non-neutrality, it has the ability to color the mind in dependence on the way it manifests. Hence, a feeling of desire from seeing what is conceived as a beautiful object affects the other mental factors that are present at that time, and this colors the whole mind.
The relationship between the main mind (Sanskrit:
citta
''Citta'' (Pali and Sanskrit: चित्त; pronounced ''chitta''; IAST: ''citta)'' is one of three overlapping terms used in the '' nikaya'' to refer to the mind, the others being '' manas'' and '' viññāṇa''. Each is sometimes used in ...
) and the mental factors can be described by the following metaphors:
* The main mind is like screen in a cinema, and the mental factors are like the images projected on the screen. In this analogy, we typically do not notice the screen because we are so caught up on the images.
* The main mind is like a king who sits passively on a throne, and the mental factors are like the king's busy ministers.
Traleg Rinpoche states that the main distinction between the mind and mental factors is that the mind apprehends an object as a whole, whereas mental factors apprehend an object in its particulars.
[Traleg Rinpoche (1993). p. 59]
Lists of mental factors
Within Buddhism, there are many different systems of
abhidharma
The Abhidharma are ancient (third century BCE and later) Buddhist texts which contain detailed scholastic presentations of doctrinal material appearing in the Buddhist ''sutras''. It also refers to the scholastic method itself as well as the f ...
(commonly referred to as Buddhist psychology), and each system contains its own list of the most significant mental factors. These lists vary from system to system both in the number of mental factors listed, and in the definitions that are given for each mental factor. These lists are not considered to be exhaustive; rather they present significant categories and mental factors that are useful to study in order to understand how the mind functions.
Some of the main commentaries on the Abhidharma systems that are studied today include:
[
* '']Abhidhammattha-sangaha The ''Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha'' (The Compendium of Things contained in the Abhidhamma) is a Pali Buddhist instructional manual or compendium of the Abhidhamma of the Theravāda tradition. It was written by the Sri Lankan monk Ācariya Anuruddha s ...
'' by Acariya Anuruddha – a Theravada
''Theravāda'' () ( si, ථේරවාදය, my, ထေရဝါဒ, th, เถรวาท, km, ថេរវាទ, lo, ເຖຣະວາດ, pi, , ) is the most commonly accepted name of Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school' ...
commentary that lists fifty-two mental factors.
* ''Atthasālinī
Atthasālinī (Pali) is a Buddhist text composed by Buddhaghosa in the Theravada Abhidharma tradition. The title has been translated as "The Expositor"van Gorkom (2009)Preface or "Providing the Meaning". In the ''Atthasālinī'', Buddhaghosa expla ...
'' by Buddhaghosa
Buddhaghosa was a 5th-century Indian Theravada Buddhist commentator, translator and philosopher. He worked in the Great Monastery (''Mahāvihāra'') at Anurādhapura, Sri Lanka and saw himself as being part of the Vibhajjavāda school and in t ...
– a Theravada commentary that provides explanations for fifty-two mental factors.
* '' Abhidharmakośa'' by Vasubandhu
Vasubandhu (; Tibetan: དབྱིག་གཉེན་ ; floruit, fl. 4th to 5th century CE) was an influential bhikkhu, Buddhist monk and scholar from ''Puruṣapura'' in ancient India, modern day Peshawar, Pakistan. He was a philosopher who ...
– a Sarvastivada
The ''Sarvāstivāda'' (Sanskrit and Pali: 𑀲𑀩𑁆𑀩𑀢𑁆𑀣𑀺𑀯𑀸𑀤, ) was one of the early Buddhist schools established around the reign of Ashoka (3rd century BCE).Westerhoff, The Golden Age of Indian Buddhist Philosophy ...
commentary (studied by the Mahayana schools) that lists forty-six mental factors.
* ''Abhidharma-samuccaya
The Abhidharma-samuccaya (Sanskrit; ; English: "Compendium of Abhidharma") is a Buddhist text composed by Asaṅga. The ''Abhidharma-samuccaya'' is a systematic account of Abhidharma. According to J. W. de Jong it is also "one of the most import ...
'' by Asanga
Asaṅga (, ; Romaji: ''Mujaku'') ( fl. 4th century C.E.) was "one of the most important spiritual figures" of Mahayana Buddhism and the "founder of the Yogachara school".Engle, Artemus (translator), Asanga, ''The Bodhisattva Path to Unsurpassed ...
– a Yogachara
Yogachara ( sa, योगाचार, IAST: '; literally "yoga practice"; "one whose practice is yoga") is an influential tradition of Buddhist philosophy and psychology emphasizing the study of cognition, perception, and consciousness through t ...
commentary (studied by the Mahayana schools) that lists fifty-one mental factors.
* ''Innermost Core of Topics of Knowledge (mDzod-phug)'' by Shenrab Miwo
Tonpa Shenrab ( "Teacher Shenrab") or Shenrab Miwo ()—also called the Buddha Shenrab, Guru Shenrab and a number of other titles—is the legendary founder of the Bon tradition of Tibet.
The story of Tonpa Shenrab was revealed in a fourte ...
– a Tibetan Bon
''Bon'', also spelled Bön () and also known as Yungdrung Bon (, "eternal Bon"), is a Tibetan religious tradition with many similarities to Tibetan Buddhism and also many unique features.Samuel 2012, pp. 220-221. Bon initially developed in t ...
commentary that lists fifty-one factors.
Sthaviravāda Sarvastivada tradition
The Mahavibhasa and Abhidharmakośa have 46 mental factors which include:
Ten mental factors
The ten ''mahābhūmika dharmas'' are common to all consciousness.
* ''Vedanā
Vedanā ( Pāli and Sanskrit: वेदना) is an ancient term traditionally translated as either " feeling" or "sensation." In general, ''vedanā'' refers to the pleasant, unpleasant and neutral sensations that occur when our internal sense ...
'' – feeling
* ''Saṃjñā
''Saṃjñā'' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a Buddhist term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics. ''Samjñā'' has multiple meanings dep ...
'' – perception
* ''Cetanā
Cetanā (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: sems pa) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "volition", "intention", "directionality", etc. It can be defined as a mental factor that moves or urges the mind in a particular direction, toward a specifi ...
'' – volition
* ''Sparśa
Sparśa (Sanskrit; Pali: ''phassa'') is a Sanskrit/Indian term that is translated as "contact", "touching", "sensation", "sense impression", etc. It is defined as the coming together of three factors: the sense organ, the sense object, and sen ...
'' – contact
* ''Chanda
Sanskrit prosody or Chandas refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Chandas" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , page 140 It is the study of poetic metr ...
'' – desire (to act)
* '' Prajñā'' – wisdom
* '' Smṛti'' – mindfulness
* ''Manasikāra
Manasikara (Sanskrit and Pali, also ''manasikāra''; Tibetan Wylie: ''yid la byed pa'' or ''yid byed'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "attention" or "mental advertence". It is defined as the process of the mind fixating upon an object.Gu ...
'' – attention
* ''Adhimokṣa
Adhimoksha (Sanskrit, also ''adhimokṣa''; Pali: ''adhimokkha''; Tibetan Wylie: ''mos pa'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "interest", "intensified interest", or "decision". It is defined as holding onto a certain form object; its functi ...
'' – decision
* ''Samādhi
''Samadhi'' (Pali and sa, समाधि), in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools, is a state of meditation, meditative consciousness. In Buddhism, it is the last of the eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In the Ash ...
'' – mental concentration. it also called Ekaggata
Ekaggatā (Pali; Sanskrit: '' ekāgratā'', एकाग्रता, "one-pointedness") is a Pali Buddhist term, meaning tranquility of mind or one-pointedness, but also "unification of mind."
According to the Theravada-tradition, in their reint ...
, one-pointedness
Ten wholesome mental factors
The ten ''kuśala mahābhūmikā dharmāḥ'' accompany the wholesome consciousnesses (kusala citta).
* ''Śraddhā
Śraddhā ( sa, श्रद्धा) is often glossed in English as ''faith''. ''Āsthā'' is used for faith, religious beliefs and God. The term figures importantly in the literature, teachings, and discourse of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism ...
'' – faith
* ''Vīrya
Vīrya (Sanskrit; Pāli: ''viriya'') is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", or "effort". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to ac ...
'' – energy
* '' Hrī'' – shame at doing evil
* '' Apatrāpya'' – decorum, regard for consequence
* ''Alobha
Alobha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: ''ma chags pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-attachment" or "non-greed". It is defined as the absence of attachment or desire towards worldly things or worldly existence. It causes one to not engage ...
'' – non-attachment
* ''Adveṣa
Advesha (Sanskrit; Pali: ''adosa''; Tibetan Wylie: ''zhes sdang med pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-aggression" or "non-hatred". It is defined as the absence of an aggressive attitude towards someone or something that causes pain.Guent ...
'' – non-aggression
* '' Praśrabdhi'' – calmness
* ''Upekṣā
''Upekṣā'' (Sanskrit: उपेक्षा; Pali: ''Upekkhā'') is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. As one of the Brahma-viharas, virtues of the "Brahma realm" (Pāli: '), it is one of the wholesome (') mental factors (') cultivated on the ...
'' – equanimity
* '' Appamāda'' – conscientiousness
* ''Ahiṃsā
Ahimsa (, IAST: ''ahiṃsā'', ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to all living beings. It is a key virtue in most Indian religions: Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.Bajpai, Shiva (2011). The History of India – F ...
'' – non-injuriousness
Six unwholesome mental factors
The six ''kleśa mahābhūmika dharmāḥ'' accompany kleśa.
* '' Moha'' – delusion
* '' Pramāda'' – heedlessness, carelessness, unconcern
* '' Kauśīdya'' – laziness, slothfulness
* '' Āśraddhya'' – lack of faith, lack of trust
* '' Styāna'' – lethargy, gloominess
* '' Auddhatya'' – excitement, ebullience
Theravāda Abhidhamma tradition
Within the Theravāda Abhidhamma
The Theravāda Abhidhamma is a scholastic systematization of the Theravāda school's understanding of the highest Buddhist teachings ( Abhidhamma). These teachings are traditionally believed to have been taught by the Buddha, though modern scholar ...
tradition, the Abhidhammattha-sangaha The ''Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha'' (The Compendium of Things contained in the Abhidhamma) is a Pali Buddhist instructional manual or compendium of the Abhidhamma of the Theravāda tradition. It was written by the Sri Lankan monk Ācariya Anuruddha s ...
enumerates the fifty-two mental factors listed below:
Note that this list is not exhaustive; there are other mental factors mentioned in the Theravada teachings. This list identifies fifty-two important factors that help to understand how the mind functions.
Seven universal mental factors
The seven universal mental factors (''sabbacittasādhāraṇa cetasikas'') are common (''sādhāraṇa'') to all consciousness (''sabbacitta''). Bhikkhu Bodhi
Bhikkhu Bodhi (born December 10, 1944), born Jeffrey Block, is an American Theravada Buddhist monk, ordained in Sri Lanka and currently teaching in the New York and New Jersey area. He was appointed the second president of the Buddhist Publica ...
states: "These factors perform the most rudimentary and essential cognitive functions, without which consciousness of an object would be utterly impossible."
These seven factors are:
* '' Phassa'' – contact
* ''Vedanā
Vedanā ( Pāli and Sanskrit: वेदना) is an ancient term traditionally translated as either " feeling" or "sensation." In general, ''vedanā'' refers to the pleasant, unpleasant and neutral sensations that occur when our internal sense ...
'' – feeling
* ''Saññā
''Saṃjñā'' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a Buddhist term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics. ''Samjñā'' has multiple meanings dep ...
'' – perception
* ''Cetanā
Cetanā (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: sems pa) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "volition", "intention", "directionality", etc. It can be defined as a mental factor that moves or urges the mind in a particular direction, toward a specifi ...
'' – volition
* ''Ekaggata
Ekaggatā (Pali; Sanskrit: '' ekāgratā'', एकाग्रता, "one-pointedness") is a Pali Buddhist term, meaning tranquility of mind or one-pointedness, but also "unification of mind."
According to the Theravada-tradition, in their reint ...
'' – one-pointedness
* ''Jīvitindriya
Jīvitindriya (Sanskrit and Pali) is a Buddhist term translated as "life faculty" or "vitality". ''Jīvitindriya'' is identified as one of the seven universal mental factors within the Theravada abhidharma teachings. In this context, ''jīvitindri ...
'' – life faculty
* ''Manasikāra
Manasikara (Sanskrit and Pali, also ''manasikāra''; Tibetan Wylie: ''yid la byed pa'' or ''yid byed'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "attention" or "mental advertence". It is defined as the process of the mind fixating upon an object.Gu ...
'' – attention
Six occasional mental factors
The six occasional or particular mental factors (''pakiṇṇaka cetasikas'') are ethically variable mental factors found only in certain consciousnesses. They are:
* '' Vitakka'' – Application of thought
* '' Vicāra'' – Examining
* '' Adhimokkha'' – Decision
* '' Viriya'' – Energy
* ''Pīti
''Pīti'' in Pali (Sanskrit: ''Prīti'') is a mental factor (Pali:''cetasika'', Sanskrit: ''caitasika'') associated with the development of '' jhāna'' (Sanskrit: ''dhyāna'') in Buddhist meditation. According to Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, ''piti'' i ...
'' – Rapture
* ''Chanda
Sanskrit prosody or Chandas refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Chandas" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , page 140 It is the study of poetic metr ...
'' – Desire (to act)
Fourteen unwholesome mental factors
The unwholesome mental factors (''akusala cetasikas'') accompany the unwholesome consciousnesses (''akusala citta'').
The fourteen unwholesome mental factors are:
* Four universal unwholesome mental factors (''akusalasādhāraṇa''):
** '' Moha'' – delusion
** '' Ahirika'' – lack of shame
** '' Anottappa'' – disregard for consequence
** ''Uddhacca
Auddhatya (Sanskrit; Pali: ''uddhacca''; Tibetan phonetic: ''göpa '') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "excitement", "restlessness", etc. In the Theravada tradition, ''uddhacca'' is defined as a mental factor that is characterized by disq ...
'' – restlessness
* Three mental factors of the greed-group (''lobha''):
** ''Lobha
Raga (Sanskrit: राग, IAST: ; Pali ; Tibetan: ) is a Buddhist and Hindu concept of character affliction or poison referring to any form of "greed, sensuality, lust, desire" or "attachment to a sensory object". Raga is represented in the Budd ...
'' – greed
** '' Diṭṭhi'' – wrong view
** ''Māna
Māna (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan: ''nga rgyal'') is a Buddhist term that may be translated as "pride", "arrogance", or "conceit". It is defined as an inflated mind that makes whatever is suitable, such as wealth or learning, to be the foundation of ...
'' – conceit
* Four mental factors of the hatred-group (''dosa'')
** ''Dosa
Dosa may refer to:
People
* Bogoljub Mitić Đoša, Serbian actor
* Csaba Dosa (born 1951), Romanian athlete
* Dosa ben Harkinas
* Dosa ben Saadia (935 - 1018), Talmudic scholar and philosopher
* Dosa or Dossa Júnior
* Edward Dosa-Wea Neufville ...
'' – hatred
** '' Issā'' – envy
** '' Macchariya'' – miserliness
** ''Kukkucca
Kaukritya (Sanskrit; Pali: ''kukkucca''; Tibetan phonetic: ''gyöpa'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "regret", "worry", etc. In the Theravada tradition, ''kukkucca'' is defined as worry or remorse after having done wrong; it has the char ...
'' – regret
* Other unwholesome mental factors
** ''Thīna Thīna (Sanskrit styāna, स्त्यान; pi, थीन) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "sloth". ''Thīna'' is defined as sluggishness or dullness of mind, characterized by a lack of driving power. In the Theravada tradition, ' ...
'' – sloth
** ''Middha Not to be confused with ''surname Middha'', the 68,736th most widespread family name on earth peforebears.io
Middha (Sanskrit: मिद्ध; Pali: मिद्ध ; Tibetan phonetic: ''nyi'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "torpor", "d ...
'' – torpor
** ''Vicikicchā
Vicikitsa (Sanskrit, also ''vicikitsā''; Pali: ''vicikicchā''; Tibetan Wylie: ''the tshom'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "doubt" or "indecision". It is defined as being of two minds about the meaning of the Four Noble Truths; it fun ...
'' – doubt
Bhikkhu Bodhi states:
:Unwholesome consciousness (''akusalacitta'') is consciousness accompanied by one or another of the three unwholesome roots—greed, hatred, and delusion. Such consciousness is called unwholesome because it is mentally unhealthy, morally blameworthy, and productive of painful results.
Twenty-five beautiful mental factors
The beautiful mental factors (''sobhana cetasikas'') accompany the wholesome consciousnesses (''kusala citta'').
The twenty-five beautiful mental factors (''sobhana cetasikas'') are:
* Nineteen universal beautiful mental factors (''sobhanasādhāraṇa''):
** ''Saddhā
In Buddhism, faith ( pi, saddhā, italic=yes, sa, śraddhā, italic=yes) refers to a serene commitment to the practice of the Buddha's teaching and trust in enlightened or highly developed beings, such as Buddhas or ''bodhisattvas'' (those ...
'' – faith
** ''Sati
Sati or SATI may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Sati'' (film), a 1989 Bengali film by Aparna Sen and starring Shabana Azmi
* ''Sati'' (novel), a 1990 novel by Christopher Pike
*Sati (singer) (born 1976), Lithuanian singer
*Sati, a character in ''Th ...
'' – mindfulness
** ''Hiri The word Hiri has several meanings:
* Hiri, a cross-platform desktop email-client
* Mount Hiri, a volcanic island north of Ternate in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia
* Hiri Motu, an official language of Papua New Guinea
* Hiri Rural LLG, a local ...
'' – shame at doing evil
** ''Ottappa
Apatrapya (Sanskrit, also ''apatrāpya''; Pali: ottappa; Tibetan Wylie: ''khrel yod pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "decorum" or "shame". It is defined as shunning unwholesome actions so as to not be reproached by others of good character.G ...
'' – regard for consequence
** ''Alobha
Alobha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: ''ma chags pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-attachment" or "non-greed". It is defined as the absence of attachment or desire towards worldly things or worldly existence. It causes one to not engage ...
'' – lack of greed
** '' Adosa'' – lack of hatred
** ''Tatramajjhattatā
Tatramajjhattatā (Pali) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "equanimity", "neutrality of mind", etc. In the Theravada tradition, it is defined as a mental attitude of balance, detachment, and impartiality.
Tatramajjhattatā is identified as ...
'' – balance, neutrality of mind
** '' Kāyapassaddhi'' – tranquility of mental body
** '' Cittapassaddhi'' – tranquility of consciousness
** '' Kāyalahutā'' – lightness of mental body
** '' Cittalahutā'' – lightness of consciousness
** '' Kāyamudutā'' – malleability/softness of mental body
** '' Cittamudutā'' – malleability/softness of consciousness
** '' Kāyakammaññatā'' – wieldiness of mental body
** '' Cittakammaññatā'' – wieldiness of consciousness
** '' Kāyapāguññatā'' – proficiency of mental body
** '' Cittapāguññatā'' – proficiency of consciousness
** '' Kāyujukatā'' – straightness/rectitude of mental body
** '' Cittujukatā'' – straightness/rectitude of consciousness
* Three Abstinences (''virati''):
** '' Sammāvācā'' – right speech
** '' Sammākammanta'' – right action
** '' Sammā-ājīva'' – right livelihood
* Two Immeasurables (''appamañña''):
** ''Karuṇā
' () is generally translated as compassion or mercy and sometimes as self-compassion or spiritual longing. It is a significant spiritual concept in the Indic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.
Buddhism
is important in all ...
'' – compassion
** ''Mudita
''Muditā'' (Pāli and Sanskrit: मुदिता) means joy; especially sympathetic or vicarious joy, or the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people's well-being.
The traditional paradigmatic example of this mind-state is the att ...
'' – sympathetic joy
* One Faculty of wisdom (''paññindriya''):
** '' Paññā'' – wisdom
Bhikkhu Bodhi states:
:Wholesome consciousness (''kusalacitta'') is consciousness accompanied by the wholesome roots—non-greed or generosity, non-hatred or loving-kindness, and non-delusion or wisdom. Such consciousness is mentally healthy, morally blameless, and productive of pleasant results.
Mahayana Abhidharma tradition
Abhidharma studies in the Mahayana tradition are based on the Sanskrit Sarvāstivāda abhidharma system. Within this system, the Abhidharma-samuccaya
The Abhidharma-samuccaya (Sanskrit; ; English: "Compendium of Abhidharma") is a Buddhist text composed by Asaṅga. The ''Abhidharma-samuccaya'' is a systematic account of Abhidharma. According to J. W. de Jong it is also "one of the most import ...
identifies fifty-one mental factors:
Five universal mental factors
The five universal mental factors (''sarvatraga'') are:
# ''Sparśa
Sparśa (Sanskrit; Pali: ''phassa'') is a Sanskrit/Indian term that is translated as "contact", "touching", "sensation", "sense impression", etc. It is defined as the coming together of three factors: the sense organ, the sense object, and sen ...
'' – contact, contacting awareness, sense impression, touch
# ''Vedanā
Vedanā ( Pāli and Sanskrit: वेदना) is an ancient term traditionally translated as either " feeling" or "sensation." In general, ''vedanā'' refers to the pleasant, unpleasant and neutral sensations that occur when our internal sense ...
'' – feeling, sensation
# ''Saṃjñā
''Saṃjñā'' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a Buddhist term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics. ''Samjñā'' has multiple meanings dep ...
'' – perception
# ''Cetanā
Cetanā (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: sems pa) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "volition", "intention", "directionality", etc. It can be defined as a mental factor that moves or urges the mind in a particular direction, toward a specifi ...
'' – volition, intention
# ''Manasikāra
Manasikara (Sanskrit and Pali, also ''manasikāra''; Tibetan Wylie: ''yid la byed pa'' or ''yid byed'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "attention" or "mental advertence". It is defined as the process of the mind fixating upon an object.Gu ...
'' – attention
These five mental factors are referred to as ''universal'' or ''omnipresent'' because they operate in the wake of every mind situation. If any one of these factors is missing, then the experience of the object is incomplete. For example:
* If there is no ''sparśa'' (contact), then there would be no basis for perception.
* If there is no ''vedana'' (feeling, sensation), there is no relishing of the object.
* If there is no ''saṃjñā'' (perception), then the specific characteristic of the object is not perceived.
* If there is no ''cetanā'' (volition), then there is no movement towards and settling on the object.
* If there is no ''manasikāra'' (attention), then there is not holding onto the object.
Five object-determining mental factors
The five object-determining mental factors (''viṣayaniyata'') are:
# ''Chanda
Sanskrit prosody or Chandas refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Chandas" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , page 140 It is the study of poetic metr ...
'' – desire (to act), intention, interest
# ''Adhimokṣa
Adhimoksha (Sanskrit, also ''adhimokṣa''; Pali: ''adhimokkha''; Tibetan Wylie: ''mos pa'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "interest", "intensified interest", or "decision". It is defined as holding onto a certain form object; its functi ...
'' – decision, interest, firm conviction
# '' Smṛti'' – mindfulness
# '' Prajñā'' – wisdom
# ''Samādhi
''Samadhi'' (Pali and sa, समाधि), in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools, is a state of meditation, meditative consciousness. In Buddhism, it is the last of the eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In the Ash ...
'' – concentration
The five factors are referred to as ''object-determining'' is because these factors each grasp the specification of the object. When they are steady, there is certainty concerning each object.[Guenther (1975), Kindle Location 487–488.]
Eleven virtuous mental factors
The eleven virtuous (''kuśala'') mental factors are:
# '' Sraddhā'' – faith
# '' Hrī'' – self-respect, conscientiousness, sense of shame
# '' Apatrāpya'' – decorum, regard for consequence
# ''Alobha
Alobha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: ''ma chags pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-attachment" or "non-greed". It is defined as the absence of attachment or desire towards worldly things or worldly existence. It causes one to not engage ...
'' – non-attachment
# ''Adveṣa
Advesha (Sanskrit; Pali: ''adosa''; Tibetan Wylie: ''zhes sdang med pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-aggression" or "non-hatred". It is defined as the absence of an aggressive attitude towards someone or something that causes pain.Guent ...
'' – non-aggression, equanimity, lack of hatred
# ''Amoha
Amoha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan Wylie: ''gti mug med pa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "non-delusion" or "non-bewilderment". It is defined as being without delusion concerning what is true, due to discrimination; its function is to cause one t ...
'' – non-bewilderment
# ''Vīrya
Vīrya (Sanskrit; Pāli: ''viriya'') is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", or "effort". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to ac ...
'' – diligence, effort
# '' Praśrabdhi'' – pliancy
# '' Apramāda'' – conscientiousness
# '' Upekṣa'' – equanimity
# ''Ahiṃsā
Ahimsa (, IAST: ''ahiṃsā'', ) is the ancient Indian principle of nonviolence which applies to all living beings. It is a key virtue in most Indian religions: Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.Bajpai, Shiva (2011). The History of India – F ...
'' – nonharmfulness
Six root unwholesome factors
The six root unwholesome factors (''mūlakleśa'') are:
# ''Rāga
A ''raga'' or ''raag'' (; also ''raaga'' or ''ragam''; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a melodic mode. The ''rāga'' is a unique and central feature of the classical Indian music tradition, and as ...
'' – attachment
# ''Pratigha
Pratigha (Sanskrit; Pali: paṭigha; Tibetan Wylie: ''khong khro'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "anger". It is defined as a hostile attitude towards sentient beings, towards frustration, and towards that which gives rise to one's frust ...
'' – anger
# '' Avidya'' – ignorance
# ''Māna
Māna (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan: ''nga rgyal'') is a Buddhist term that may be translated as "pride", "arrogance", or "conceit". It is defined as an inflated mind that makes whatever is suitable, such as wealth or learning, to be the foundation of ...
'' – pride, conceit
# '' Vicikitsa'' – doubt
# '' Dṛṣṭi'' – wrong view
Twenty secondary unwholesome factors
The twenty secondary unwholesome factors (''upakleśa'') are:
#'' Krodha'' – rage, fury
#'' Upanāha'' – resentment
#''Mrakśa
Mrakśa (Sanskrit; Tibetan phonetic: ''chabpa'') is a Buddhist term translated as "concealment" or "slyness-concealment". It is defined as concealing or covering up one's faults or uncommendable actions, from either oneself or others. It is one of ...
'' – concealment, slyness-concealment
#'' Pradāśa'' – spitefulness
#'' Īrṣyā'' – envy, jealousy
#'' Mātsarya'' – stinginess, avarice, miserliness
#'' Māyā'' – pretense, deceit
#'' Śāṭhya'' – hypocrisy, dishonesty
#''Mada
Mada ( sa, मद) is a term used in both Āstika and nāstika, Hindu theology and Hindu mythology, mythology. It is one of the Arishadvargas. It refers to one of the six enemy of the mind or a vice according to the Hindu texts, Hindu scriptures ...
'' – self-infatuation, mental inflation, self-satisfaction
#'' Vihiṃsā'' – malice, hostility, cruelty, intention to harm
#'' Āhrīkya'' – lack of shame, lack of conscience, shamelessness
#'' Anapatrāpya'' – lack of propriety, disregard, shamelessness
#'' Styāna'' – lethargy, gloominess
#'' Auddhatya'' – excitement, ebullience
#'' Āśraddhya'' – lack of faith, lack of trust
#'' Kauśīdya'' – laziness, slothfulness
#'' Pramāda'' – heedlessness, carelessness, unconcern
#'' Muṣitasmṛtitā'' – forgetfulness
#'' Asaṃprajanya'' – non-alertness, inattentiveness
#''Vikṣepa
Vikṣepa (Sanskrit; Tibetan phonetic: ''nampar yengwa'') is a Buddhist and Hindu term that is translated as "distraction", "mental wandering", etc. In the Mahayana tradition, ''vikṣepa'' is defined as the mental motion or wandering towards an o ...
'' – distraction, desultoriness
Four changeable mental factors
The four changeable mental factors (''aniyata'') are:
#'' Kaukṛitya'' – regret, worry,
#''Middha Not to be confused with ''surname Middha'', the 68,736th most widespread family name on earth peforebears.io
Middha (Sanskrit: मिद्ध; Pali: मिद्ध ; Tibetan phonetic: ''nyi'') is a Buddhist term that is translated as "torpor", "d ...
'' – sleep, drowsiness
#'' Vitarka'' – conception, selectiveness, examination
#'' Vicāra'' – discernment, discursiveness, analysis
Alternate translations
Alternate translations for the term ''mental factors'' (Sanskrit: ''caitasika'') include:
* Mental factors (Geshe Tashi Tsering, Jeffrey Hopkins, Bhikkhu Bodhi, N.K.G. Mendis)
* Mental events (Herbert Guenther)
* Mental states (Erik Pema Kunzang, Nārada Thera)
* Concomitants (N.K.G. Mendis)
* Concomitants of consciousness (Bhikkhu Bodhi)
* Subsidiary awareness (Alexander Berzin)
See also
* Kleshas (Buddhism)
Kleshas ( sa, क्लेश, kleśa; pi, किलेस ''kilesa''; bo, ཉོན་མོངས། ''nyon mongs''), in Buddhism, are mental states that cloud the mind and manifest in unwholesome actions. ''Kleshas'' include states of mind su ...
* Saṅkhāra
(Pali; सङ्खार; Sanskrit: संस्कार or ) is a term figuring prominently in Buddhism. The word means 'formations' or 'that which has been put together' and 'that which puts together'.
In the first (passive) sense, ' refer ...
* Three poisons (Buddhism)
The three poisons (Sanskrit: ''triviṣa''; Tibetan: ''dug gsum'') or the three unwholesome roots (Sanskrit: ''akuśala-mūla''; Pāli: ''akusala-mūla''), in Buddhism, refer to the three root kleshas: '' Moha'' (delusion, confusion), ''Raga'' ...
Notes
References
Sources
* Berzin, Alexander (2006)
''Primary Minds and the 51 Mental Factors''
Study Buddhism.
* Bhikkhu Bodhi (1995–1012)
Buddhist Publication Society.
* Geshe Tashi Tsering (2006). ''Buddhist Psychology: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought''. Perseus Books Group. Kindle Edition.
* Goleman, Daniel (2008). ''Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama''. Bantam. Kindle Edition.
* Guenther, Herbert V. & Leslie S. Kawamura (1975), ''Mind in Buddhist Psychology: A Translation of Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan's "The Necklace of Clear Understanding"''. Dharma Publishing. Kindle Edition.
* Kunsang, Erik Pema (translator) (2004). ''Gateway to Knowledge, Vol. 1''. North Atlantic Books.
* Nārada Thera
''Abhidhammattha-sangaha''
* Traleg Rinpoche (1993). ''The Abhidharmasamuccaya: Teachings by the Venerable Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche''. The Kagyu E-Vam Buddhist Institut
External links
Mahayana mental factors:
''Introduction to the Mind and Mental Factors'' by Alexander Berzin
''Primary Minds and the 51 Mental Factors'' by Alexander Berzin
* ttp://www.thubtenchodron.org/Commentaries/Mind_and_Mental_factors.html Mind and Mental Factors by Venerable Thubten Chodron
Rigpa wiki entry for ''mental factors''
Theravada mental factors:
Theravada Abhidharma:
Definitions for "caitikas" or "cetisakas"
* ttp://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-caitta.html A Dictionary of Buddhism, entry for ''caitta''
Ranjung Yeshe wiki entry for ''sems byung''
{{Buddhism topics
Virtue