CHAPTER VII - Abhidhamma Categories

Samuccaya-Sangaha-Vibhágo

§ 1. Dvásattatividhá vuttá vatthudhammá salakkhaná

§ 2. Akusalasangaho, missakasangaho, bodhipakkhiyasangaho, sabbasangaho c'áti samuceayasangaho catubbidho veditabbo.

(i) Akusalasangahe táva cattáro ásavá: - kámásavo, bbavásavo, ditthásavo, avijjásavo.

(ii) Cattáro oghá-kámogho, bhavogho, ditthogho, avijjogho.

(iii) Cattáro yogá-kámayogo, bhavayogo, ditthiyogo, avijjáyogo.

(iv) Cattáro ganthá-abhijjhá káyagantho, vyápádo káyagantho, sílabbataparámaso káyagantho, idamsaccábhiniveso káyagantho.

(v) Cattáro upádáná-kámupádanm, ditthupádánam, sílabbatupádánam, attavádupádánam.

(vi) Cha nívaranáni - kámachandanívaranam, vyápádanívaranam, thínamiddhanívararnam, uddhaccakukkuccanívaranam vicikicchánívaranam, avijjánívaranam.

(vii) Sattánusayá kámarágánusayo, bhavarágánusayo, patighánusayo, mánánusayo, ditthánusayo, vicikicchánusayo, avijjánusayo.

(viii) Dasa samyojanáni - kámarágasmyojanam, rúparágasamyojanam, arúparágasamyojanam, patighasamyojanam, mánasamyojanam, ditthisamyojanam, sílabbataparámásasamyojanam, vicikicchásamyojanam, uddhaccasamyojanam, avijjá samyojanam, suttante.

(ix) Aparáni dasa samyojanáni-kámarágasamyojanam, bhavarágasamyojanam, patighasamyojanam, mánasamyojanam, ditthisamyojanam, sílabbataparámá- sasamyojanam, vicikicchasamyojanam, issásamyojanam, macchariyasamyojanam, avijjásamyojanam, abhidhamme.

(x) Dasa kilesá-lobho, doso, moho, máno, ditthi, vtcikicchá, thínam, uddhaccam, ahirikam, anottappam.

Ásavádisu pan'ettha kámabhavanámena tabbatthuká tanhá adhippetá. Sílabbataparámáso idamsaccábhiniveso attavádupádánam ca tathá pavattam ditthigatam eva pavuccati.

Ásavoghá ca yogá ca tayo ganthá ca vatthuto

Upádána duve vuttá attha nívaraná siyum.

Chalevánusayá honti nava samyojana matá

Kilesá dasa vutto' yam navadhá pápasangaho.

 

 

 

Abhidhamma Categories

Introductory verse

§ 1. The seventy-two kinds of entities (1) have (already) been described with their characteristics. Now I shall speak of their categories in accordance with their relations.

§ 2. The compendium of categories should be understood as fourfold:

The compendium of immoral categories.

The compendium of mixed categories

The compendium of categories that pertain to enlightenment.

The miscellaneous compendium.

 

(Immoral Categories)

How?

(i) To begin with, in the immoral compendium there are four Defilements (2):

1. Sense-desires, 2. Attachment to existence, 3. False Views, and 4. Ignorance.

(ii) There are four Floods (3): (same as 1-4).

(iii) There are four Bonds (4): (same as 1-4).

(iv) There are four (bodily) Ties (5): 1. Covetousness, 2. Ill will, 3. Adherence to rites and ceremonies, 4. Dogmatic belief that 'this alone is truth'.

(v) There are four Graspings (6): 1. Sense-desires, 2. False views, 3. Adherence to rites and ceremonies, 4. Soul-theory (7).

(vi) There are six Hindrances (8): 1. to Sense-desires, 2- Ill will, 3. Sloth and Torpor, 4. Restlessness and Brooding, 5. Doubts, 6. Ignorance.

(vii) There are seven Latent Dispositions (9):

1. Attachment to sensual pleasures, 2. Attachment to existence, 3. Hatred, 4. Pride, 5. False Views, 6. Doubts, and 7. Ignorance.

(viii) There are ten Fetters according to the Suttas (10): 1. Attachment to sensual pleasures, 2. Attachment to Realms of Form, 3. Attachment to Formless Realms, 4. Hatred, 5. Pride, 6. False Views, 7. Adherence to rites and ceremonies, 8. Doubts, 9. Restlessness, and 10. Ignorance.

(ix) There are ten other Fetters according to Abhidhamma: 1. Attachment to sensual pleasures, 2. Attachment to existence, 3. Hatred, 4. Pride, 5. False Views, 6. Adherence to rites and ceremonies, 7. Doubts, 8. Envy, 9. Avarice, and 10. Ignorance.

(x) There are ten Impurities (11): 1. Greed, 2. Hate, 3. Delusion, 4. Pride, 5. False Views, 6. Doubts, 7. Sloth, 8. Restlessness, 9. Moral Shamelessness, and 10. Moral Fearlessness (unscrupulousness).

Herein in the category of Defilements and so on the terms 'attachment to sensual pleasures' and 'attachment to existence' imply craving based on them. In the same way 'adherence to rites and ceremonies', dogmatic belief that 'this alone is truth', and 'clinging to the soul-theory' connote just 'false views' connected therewith.

Summary

Actually Defilements, Floods, Bonds, and Ties are threefold. There are two Graspings and eight Hindrances. Latent Dispositions are six. Fetters should be understood as nine. Impurities are ten. This compendium of immoral categories (12) is ninefold.

Note:

1. Vatthudhammá - namely, 72. (1+52 +18 +1=72)

a. 1 - All the 89 types of consciousness are regarded as one as they all possess the characteristic of 'awareness'.

b. 52 - All mental states (cetasikas) are viewed separately as they possess different characteristics.

c. 18 - All the conditioned (nipphanna) rúpas are considered separately since they differ in their characteristics.

d. 1 - Nibbána is one inasmuch as it possesses the characteristic of peacefulness.

All these 72 are subjective and objective realities described in the previous chapters. They are miscellaneously treated in this chapter.

2. Ásava is derived from á + Ö su, to flow. They are so called either because they flow up to the topmost plane of existence or because they persist as far as the gotrabhú consciousness (i.e., the thought-moment that immediately precedes the Path-consciousness of the 'Stream-winner' - sotápatti). These ásavas are latent in all worldlings and may rise to the surface in any plane of existence. They lie dormant in all from an indefinite period and are treated as strong intoxicants or drugs that infatuate beings. Defilements, Corruptions, Depravities, Taints, Intoxicants, Stains, are suggested as the closest equivalents for this 'infamously famous' Páli term. See Compendium p. 170, n. 1; p. 227.

Of the four ásavas, kámásava means attachment to sensual pleasures, bhavásava is attachment to rúpa and arúpa planes of existence, ditthásava are the sixty-two kinds of erroneous views, (see Digha Nikáya 1) and avijjásava is ignorance with regard to the four Noble Truths, past life, future life, both past and future lives, and the Law of Dependent Arising.

3. Ogha is derived from ava + Ö han, to harm or kill. Beings caught in the current of a great flood are overturned and swept away directly to the sea and are hurled into the bottom. In the same way these oghas drown beings completely and sweep them away into states of misery.

4. Yoga is derived from Ö yuj, to yoke. Yogas are those that yoke beings to the round of existence or to the machine of existence.

5. Ganthas are those that bind mind with body or the present body with bodies of future existences. Here the term káya is used in the sense of mass or body both mental and physical.

6. Upádánáni is derived from upa + á Ö dá, to give. Intense craving is implied by the term. Hence in the paticcasamuppáda it is stated: Because of craving (tanhá) there is attachment or grasping (upádána). Tanhá is like a thief groping in the dark to steal some thing. Upádána is like the actual stealing.

7. Attavádúpádána - Commentaries mention twenty kinds of soul-theories associated with the five Aggregates as follows:

(i) Soul is identical with the body,

(ii) Soul is possessed of a body,

(iii) Soul is in the body,

(iv) Body is in the soul.

Four soul-theories connected with each of the remaining four Aggregates should be similarly understood.

8. Nívaranáni - is derived from ní + Ö var, to obstruct, to hinder. They are so called because they obstruct the way to celestial and Nibbánic bliss. According to the commentary this term means that which prevents the arising of good thoughts in the way of jhánas, etc., or that which does not allow the jhánas to arise, or that which obstructs the eye of wisdom. See A Manual of Buddhism, pp. 113-115, and The Buddha and His Teachings, pp. 539-542.

Usually nívaranas are regarded as five, excluding ignorance.

Both sloth and torpor, restlessness and brooding, are grouped together because their functions (kicca), causes (áhára = hetu), and their opposing factors are similar. The function of sloth and torpor is mental inactivity; that of restlessness and brooding is disquietude. The cause of the first pair is laziness; that of the second pair is vexation about the loss of relatives, etc. Energy is opposed to the first pair; tranquillity, to the second pair.

Sense-desire is compared to water mixed with various colours; ill will, to boiling water; sloth and torpor, to water covered with moss; restlessness and brooding, to perturbed water caused by wind; indecision, to turbid and muddy water.

Just as one cannot perceive one's own reflection in muddy water, even so when one is obsessed by Hindrances one cannot perceive what is conducive to the good and happiness of oneself and others.

These Hindrances are temporarily inhibited by the jhánas. They are completely eradicated by attaining, the four stages of Sainthood. Doubt or indecision is eradicated by attaining sotápatti; sense-desire, ill will and brooding, by attaining Anágámi; sloth, torpor, and restlessness by Arahatta.

9. Anusaya, derived from anu + si, to lie, to sleep, are those that lie dormant in oneself until an opportune moment arises for them to come to the surface as they have not been eradicated. All passions are anusayas; but these seven are the strongest. Every worldling who has reached the topmost jhána plane, when born amongst mankind, may give vent to these evil tendencies as they are latent in him.

10. Samyojana - from sam + Ö yuj, to yoke, to bind, are those which bind beings to the round of existence. By means of the four Paths (magga) they are eradicated by degrees. See Ch. 1.

11. Kilesas are those which defile or torment the mind.

12. In the categories of evil the term káma is at times applied to káma-sphere, and bhava to both rúpa and arúpa spheres. Lobha is implied by both káma-tanhá and bhava-tanhá. Attachment to rúpa and arúpa-spheres is bhava-tanhá. The three terms - sílabbataparámása (indulgence in rites and ceremonies), idamsaccábhinivesa (the dogmatic belief that this alone is truth) and attavádúpádána (soul-theory) - connote ditthi (false view, or error). Both kámásava and bhavásava connote lobha. Strictly speaking, there are only three ásavas, oghas, yogas, and ganthas. Similarly there are only two upádánas by way of lobha and ditthi.

When the two pairs - thína-middha and uddhacca-kukkucca - are treated as four mental states, nívaranas amount to eight. When kámarága and bhavarága are grouped in craving, anusayas amount to six. The ten samyojanas, according to Suttanta, are reduced to seven when kámarága, rúparága, arúparága are included in lobha, and ditthi and sílabbataparámása in ditthi. The ten samyojanas are treated as eight when kámarága and bhavarága are included in lobha, and ditthi and sílabbataparámása in ditthi. Kilesas are precisely ten. Thus, it will be seen, that the 14 immoral mental states appear in different proportions in the nine categories of evil. Lobha is common to all.

Diagram XIV

Missaka-Sangaho

§ 3.

(i) Missaka-sangahe cha hetu - lobho, doso, moho, alobho, adoso, amoho

(ii) Sattajhánangani-vitakko, vicáro, píti, ekaggatá, somanassam, domanassam, upekkhá.

(iii) Dvádasamaggangani - sammáditthi, sammásankappo, sammávácá, sammákammanto, sammájívo, sammáváyámo, sammásati, sammásamádhi, miccháditthi, micchásankappo, miccháváyámo, micchásamádhi.

(iv) Bávísatindriyáni - cakkhundriyam, sotindriyam, ghánindriyam, jivhindriyam, káyindriyam, itthindriyam, purisindriyam, jívitindriyam, manindriyam, sukhindriyam, dukkhindriyam, somanassindriyam, domanassindriyam, upekkhindriyam, saddhindriyam, viriyindriyam, satindriyam, samádhindriyam, paññindriyam, anaññátassámítindriyam, aññindriyam, aññátávindriyam.

(v) Navabaláni - saddhábalam, viriyabalam, satibalam, samádhibalam, paññábalam. hiribalam, ottappabalam, ahirikabalam, anottappabalam.

(vi) Cattáro adhipati - chandádhipati, viriyádhipati, cittádhipati, vimamsádhipati.

(vii) Cattáro áhárá - kabalíkáro áháro, phasso dutiyo, manosañcetaná tatiyo, viññánam catuttham.

Indriyesu pan' ettha sotápattimaggañánam anaññatassámítindriyam, arahattaphalañánam aññátávindriyam, majjhe cha ñánani aññindriyání 'ti pavuccanti. Jívitindriyañ ca rúpárúpavasena duvidham hoti. Pañcaviññanesu jhánangáni, aviriyesu baláni, ahetukesu maggarigáni na labbhanti. Tathá vikicchácitte ekaggatá maggindriyabalabhávam na gacchati. Dvihetuka tihetukajavanesv' eva yathásambhavam adhipati eko' va labbhati.

Cha hetu pañca jhánanga maggangá nava vatthuto

Solasindriyadhammá ca baladhamma nav' eritá.

Cattárodhipati vuttá tatháhára' ti sattadhá

Kusaládisamákinno vutto missakasangaho.

 

Mixed Categories

§ 3. In the compendium of mixed categories (13):

(i) There are six Roots (14): 1. Greed, 2. Aversion, 3. Delusion, 4. Non-attachment, 5. Goodwill, and 6. Wisdom.

(ii) There are seven constituents of jhána (15): 1. Initial Application, 2. Sustained Application, 3. Joy, 4. One-pointedness, 5. Pleasure, 6. Displeasure, and 7. Equanimity or Indifference.

(iii) There are twelve constituents of the Path (16): 1. Right Understanding, 2. Right Thoughts, 3. Right Speech, 4. Right Action, 5. Right Livelihood, 6. Right Effort, 7. Right Mindfulness, 8. Right Concentration, 9. Wrong Views, 10. Wrong Thoughts, 11. Wrong Effort, 12. Wrong one-pointedness.

(iv) There are twenty-two Faculties (17): 1. Eye, 2. Ear, 3. Nose, 4. Tongue, 5. Body, 6. Femininity, 7. Masculinity, 8. Vitality, 9. Mind, 10. Happiness, 11. Pain, 12. Pleasure, 13. Displeasure, 14. Equanimity, 15. Confidence, 16. Effort, 17. Mindfulness, 18. Concentration, 19. Wisdom, 20. The thought: 'I will realize the unknown', 21. Highest Realization, 22. The Faculty of him who has fully realized.

(v) There are nine Powers (18): 1. Confidence, 2. Energy, 3. Mindfulness, 4. Concentration, 5. Wisdom, 6. Moral shame, 7. Moral dread, 8. Moral Shamelessness, 9. Moral Fearlessness.

(vi) There are four Dominating Factors (19): 1. Intention (or Wish-to-do), 2. Energy (or Effort), 3. Mind (or Thought) (20), and 4. Reason (or Intellect).

(vii) There are four kinds of Food (21): 1. Edible Food, 2. Contact (or sense-impact), 3. Volitional activities, and 4. (Rebirth) Consciousness.

Now, amongst the Faculties, the thought, 'I will realize the unknown' means the knowledge of the Path of the Stream-Winner (Sotápanna). The Faculty of him who has fully realized, means the knowledge of the Fruit of Arahatship. Highest Realization means the intermediate six kinds of knowledge. The controlling Faculty of vitality is twofold, physical and mental.

The jhána constituents (22) are not obtained in the five kinds of sense-cognition; 'Forces', in effortless states (23); 'the Path Constituents', in the Rootless(24). Similarly in the consciousness accompanied by Doubts (25), one-pointedness does not attain to the state of a 'Path Constituent', 'Controlling Faculty' or a 'Force'. Only one 'Dominating Power' (26) is obtained at a time, according to circumstances, and only in the javana consciousness, accompanied by two or three moral roots.

Summary

In reality six roots, five jhána constituents, nine Path constituents, sixteen controlling factors, nine powers have been described (27).

Likewise four dominant factors, and four kinds of food have been told. Thus in seven ways has the compendium of mixed categories, consisting of moral and immoral states, been enumerated.

Notes:

13. Missakasangaho - This is so called because moral (kusala), immoral (akusala), and indeterminate (avyákata), are mixed in this section.

14. Hetu - See Chapter 1, p. *.

15. Jhánanga - Jhána is explained as that which burns up the opposing conditions of Hindrances, or that which closely perceives the object. Both these meanings are applicable to the ecstasies, gained by mental concentration. The six constituents of jhána are used in these two senses. When the same factors appear in a moral or immoral consciousness and 'displeasure' appears in an immoral consciousness, they are termed jhánangas in the second general sense. Only displeasure is immoral; the rest are moral, immoral, and indeterminate. See Chapter 1.

16. Maggangáni - Here magga is used in its general sense namely, that which leads to the presence of blissful states, woeful states, and Nibbána (sugati-duggatínam nibbánassa ca abhimukham pápanato maggá - Comm.). Of the twelve constituents the last four lead to woeful states; the rest, to the blissful states and Nibbána.

Strictly speaking, by these twelve constituents are meant nine mental states found in different types of consciousness. Of the four evil constituents, wrong views mean the immoral ditthi cetasiká; wrong thoughts, wrong effort, and wrong one-pointedness mean the vitakka, váyáma, and ekaggatá cetasikás respectively found in the immoral types of consciousness.

Right Understanding means the paññá cetasika; right thoughts, right effort, right mindfulness, and right one-pointedness mean the vitakka, váyáma, sati and ekaggatá cetasikas respectively, found in the moral and indeterminate types of consciousness. Right speech, right action, and right livelihood are the three Abstinences (virati) found collectively in the supramundane consciousness and separately in mundane moral types of consciousness. The first eight are collectively found only in the eight types of supramundane consciousness. By the noble Eightfold Path are meant these eight specific mental states.

17. Indriya - So called because they possess a controlling power in their respective spheres. The first five are the sensitive organs described earlier. The sixth and seventh are collectively called bhávindriya. Vitality is both physical and mental. 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 represent five kinds of feeling. 15,16,17,18, and 19 are treated both as Faculties and Powers as they influence their co-adjuncts and as they overcome their opposing forces. The last three Faculties are very important and they pertain to the supramundane. By anaññátam is meant the Nibbána never seen before. It is at the first stage of Sainthood (sotápatti) that the four Truths are realized for the first time. Hence the knowledge of the sotápatti Path is technically called anaññátam ñassámi't' indriyam. The intermediate six kinds of knowledge from the sotápatti Fruit to the Arahatta Path are termed aññá (derived from á = perfect + Ö ñá, to know), highest knowledge. As the wisdom found in all these seven types of supramundane consciousness controls the coexisting 37 Factors of Enlightenment, it is termed indriya. An Arahat is called an aññátáví because he has fully realized the four Noble Truths. The last Faculty refers to the highest knowledge of the Arahat in the Fruit stage.

18. Baláni - These nine Powers are so called because they cannot be shaken by the opposing forces and because they strengthen their co-adjuncts. The first seven are moral; the last two, immoral. The first seven, in order, are opposed to faithlessness, laziness, heedlessness, restlessness, ignorance, moral shamelessness, and moral fearlessness. The last two immoral Powers are found only in the immoral twelve types of consciousness and they consolidate their co-adjuncts.

19. Adhipati, lit., supremacy, or lordship therein. The difference between adhipati and indriya should be clearly understood. Adhipati may be compared to a king who, as the sole head of the State, lords over all his ministers. Indriyas are compared to the king's ministers who control only their respective departments without interfering with the others. The Faculty of eye, for instance, controls only its coexisting rúpas without any interference with the controlling faculty of the ear. In the case of adhipati, one dominates all the other coexisting factors with no resistance from any. No two adhipatis can exercise supreme authority simultaneously. Indriyas can have their compeers.

20. Here citta refers to the javana thought-process and vimamsá to the faculty of wisdom (paññindriya).

21. Áhára, in this connection, is used in the sense of sustenance. Edible food (kabalíkáráhára) sustains the material body. Phassáhára or contact or sense-impact sustains the five kinds of feeling. By manosamcetanáhára are meant the different kinds of volitions present in the 29 types of moral and immoral mundane consciousness. They sustain or produce rebirth in the three spheres. Viññánáhára signifies the rebirth-consciousness that sustains the mental states and material phenomena (náma-rúpa) which arise simultaneously. There are 19 such types of rebirth-consciousness. In the case of Mindless Spheres they sustain only rúpa; in the case of Formless Spheres they sustain only náma. In the existences where the five Aggregates are present they sustain both mind and matter.

22. No jhána constituents are present in the 10 types of sense-cognitions because the sense-impressions are weak, and close perception of the object is absent.

23. Effortless states are the sixteen types of consciousness, namely, ten sense-cognitions, two sampaticchanas, three santíranas, and the sense-door consciousness (pañcadvárávajjana). One-pointedness present in them is not very strong.

24. The Rootless are the 18 ahetuka-cittas.

25. The one pointedness present in the vicikicchá-citta serves only to stabilize the mind. It is not powerful.

26. There are no adhipatis in the ahetuka and ekahetuka cittas.

27. Strictly speaking, there are five jhána constituents because the three kinds of feeling could be treated as one; path constituents are nine, since wrong thoughts, effort, and one-pointedness are included in vitakka, viriya and ekaggatá respectively. Indriyas are sixteen when the five kinds of feelings are grouped in one, and the three supramundane in paññá.

Bodhipakkhiya Sangaho

§ 4.

i. Bodhipakkhiyasangahe cattáro satipattháná-káyánupassaná-satipatthánam, vedanánupassaná-satipatthánam, cittánupassaná-satipatthánam, dhammánupassaná-satipatthánam.

ii. Cattáro sammappadháná - uppannánam pápakánam pahánáya váyámo, anuppannánam pápakánam anuppádáya váyámo, anuppannánam kusalánam uppádáya váyámo, uppannánam kusalánam bhiyyobháváya váyámo.

iii. Cattáro iddhipádá - chandidhipádo, viriyiddhipádo, cittiddhipádo, vímamsiddhipádo.

iv. Pañcindriyáni - saddhindriyam, viriyindriyam, satindriyam, samádhindriyam, paññindriyam.

v. Pañcabaláni - saddhábalam, viriyabalam, satibalam, samádhibalam, paññábalam.

vi. Sattabojjhangá - satisambojjhango, dhammavicayasambojjhango, viriyasambojjhango, pítisambojjhango, passaddhisambojjango, samádhisambojjhango, upekkhásambojjhango.

vii. Atthamaggangáni - sammáditthi, sammásankappo, sammávácá, sammákammanto, sammájívo, sammáváyámo, sammásati, sammásamádhi.

Ettha pana cattáro satipattháná'ti sammá-sati eká'va pavuccati. Tathá cattáro sammappadháná'ti ca sammáváyámo.

Chando cittam upekkhá ca saddhá-passaddhi-pítiyo

Sammáditthi ca sankappo váyámo viratittayam

Sammásati samádhí'ti cuddas'ete sabhávato

Sattatimsappabhedena sattadhá tattha sangaho.

Sankappa-passadhi ca pítupekkhá chando ca cittam viratittayañ ca

Nav'ekatháná viriyam nava'attha sati samádhi catu, pañca paññá.

Saddhá duthánuttamasatta-timsaddharnmánam'eso pavaro vibhágo

Sabbe lokuttare honti na vá samkappapítiyo

Lokiye'pi yatháyogam chabbisuddhippavattiyam.

 

Factors of Enlightenment (28)

§ 4. In the compendium of Factors pertaining to Enlightenment:-

i. There are four Foundations of Mindfulness (29): 1. Mindfulness as regards body, 2. Mindfulness as regards feelings, 3. Mindfulness as regards thoughts, 4. Mindfulness as regards Dhamma.

ii. There are four Supreme Efforts (30): 1. The effort to discard evils that have arisen, 2. The effort to prevent the arising of unrisen evils, 3. The effort to develop unrisen good, 4. The effort to augment arisen good.

iii. There are four Means of Accomplishment (31): 1. Will, 2. Effort, 3. Thought, 4. Reason.

iv. There are five Faculties (32): 1. Confidence, 2. Effort, 3. Mindfulness, 4. Concentration, 5. Wisdom.

v. There are five Powers (32): 1. Confidence, 2. Effort, 3. Mindfulness, 4. Concentration. 6. Wisdom.

vi. There are seven Constituents of Enlightenment (33): 1. Mindfulness, 2. Investigation of the Truth, 3. Effort, 4 Rapture, 5. Quietude, 6. Concentration, 7. Equanimity.

vii. There are eight Path Constituents (34): 1 Right Understanding, 2. Right Thoughts, 3. Right Speech, 4. Right Action, 5. Right Livelihood., 6. Right Effort, 7. Right Mindfulness, 8. Right Concentration.

Here by the four Foundations of Mindfulness, Right Mindfulness alone is implied. Right Effort is implied by the four Supreme Efforts.

The sevenfold compendium which consists of 37 factors, is composed of these fourteen according to their nature: Will, Thought, Equanimity, Confidence, Quietude, Rapture, Right Understanding, Aspirations or Thoughts, Effort, the three Abstinences, Right Mindfulness, and Concentration.

The enumeration of these 37 sublime factors is as follows: Aspirations, Quietude, Rapture, Equanimity, Will, Thought, the three Abstinences, occur once; Effort nine times; Mindfulness eight times; Concentration four times; Wisdom five times; Confidence twice (35).

All these, save at times Aspirations and Rapture, occur in the Supramundane (Consciousness) and in the mundane (consciousness) too, according to circumstances, in the course of sixfold purity.

Notes:

28. Bodhipakkhiya - Bodhi means Enlightenment or the aspirant for Enlightenment. Pakkhiya, literally, means 'on the side of'.

29. Satipatthána - sati = mindfulness, awareness, or attentiveness; patthána = establishment, application, foundations, bases. These satipatthánas are intended to develop both concentration and insight. Each satipatthána serves a specific purpose. Contemplation on these four leads, on the one hand, to the development of 'undesirableness' (asubha), painfulness (dukkha), impermanence (anicca), and 'soullessness' (anattá); and, on the other hand, to the eradication of 'desirableness', pleasure, permanence and substantiality.

Briefly, the objects of mindfulness may be divided into náma and rúpa. The first - which deals with rúpa, breath is also regarded as a kind of rúpa. The second and the third deal with different kinds of feelings and thoughts. The fourth deals with both náma and rúpa. Hence it is very difficult to render the Páli term, Dhamma, used in this connection, by one English equivalent. It is preferable to retain the Páli term to avoid any misunderstanding.

For details see the Satipatthána Sutta and the commentary.

30. Sammappadhána (Right exertion) - One mental state - viriya - performs four functions.

31. Iddhipáda - The means of accomplishing one's own end or purpose. Strictly speaking, all these four pertain to the Supramundane Consciousness. Chanda is the mental state 'wish-to-do'. Viriya refers to the four Supreme Efforts. Citta means the Supramundane Consciousness. Vímamsá signifies the mental state of wisdom present in the Supramundane Consciousness. Only when these four are present in the Supramundane Consciousness are they termed iddhipáda.

32. Indriyas and Balas are identical though different meanings are attached to them.

33. Sambojjhanga - Sam = exalted, good; bodhi = enlightenment or one who is striving for enlightenment; anga = factor. Here dhammavicaya means seeing mind and matter as they truly are. It is insight. By passaddhi are meant both citta-passaddhi and káya-passaddhi mental states. Upekkhá does not mean hedonic indifference but mental equipoise known as tatramajjhattatá. Dhammavicaya, viriya, and píti are opposed to thína-middha (sloth and torpor); passaddhi, samádhi, and upekkhá, to uddhacca (restlessness).

34. Maggangáni - According to the commentaries, here magga is used in two different senses, namely, 'that which is sought by those who strive for Nibbána', or 'that which goes by killing the passions' (nibbánatthikehi maggíyatí'ti vá kilese márento gacchatí' ti maggo). Evidently this particular definition has been given to differentiate the noble Eightfold Path from an ordinary one.

Strictly speaking, these eight factors connote eight mental states collectively found in the supramundane consciousness that has Nibbána for its object.

Sammá-ditthi is rendered by Right Understanding, Right Views, Right Beliefs, Right Knowledge. Sammá-ditthi is explained as the knowledge of the four Noble Truths. In other words, it is the understanding of one's personality as it really, is or of things as they truly are. According to Abhidhamma, it is the mental state of wisdom (paññá) that tends to eradicate ignorance (avijjá). It is placed first because all actions should be regulated by wisdom. Right Understanding leads to Right Thoughts.

Sammá-sankappa is rendered by Thoughts, Aspirations, Intentions, Ideas. According to Abhidhamma it is the mental state of vitakka (application) that directs the mind to Nibbána, eliminating the evil thoughts of sense-desires (káma), ill will (vyápáda) and cruelty (himsá), by cultivating the good thoughts of renunciation (nekkhamma), loving-kindness (avyápáda), and harmlessness (avihimsá).

The first two constituents are grouped in wisdom (paññá).

Right Thoughts lead to Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. These three constitute síla or Morality.

Sammá-vácá signifies abstinence from lying, slandering, harsh speech, and frivolous talk.

Sammá-kammanta deals with abstinence from killing, stealing, and misconduct.

Sammá-jíva is twofold. It deals with right livelihood of both Bhikkhus and laymen. The latter are prohibited from trading in arms, slaves, intoxicants, animals for slaughter, and poison.

The three mental states of 'Abstinences' (virati) are implied by these three constituents.

Sammá-váyáma signifies the four Supreme Efforts mentioned above.

Sammá-sati denotes the four kinds of Mindfulness mentioned above.

Sammá-samádhi is concentration or the 'one pointedness of the mind'. It is the mental state of 'ekaggatá'.

The last three are included in samádhi or concentration.

The eight constituents comprise Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom or Insight.

35. Effort (viriya) occurs nine times as follows:

4 Supreme Efforts, 1 Means of Accomplishment, 1 Controlling Factor, 1 Power, 1 Constituent of Enlightenment, 1 Right Effort.

Mindfulness (sati) occurs eight times as follows:

4 Foundations of Mindfulness, 1 Controlling Factor; 1 Power, 1 Constituent of Enlightenment, 1 Right Mindfulness.

Concentration (samádhi) occurs four times as follows:

1 Controlling Factor, 1 Power, 1 Constituent of Enlightenment, and 1 Right Mindfulness.

Wisdom (paññá) occurs five times as follows:

1 Means of Accomplishment, 1 Controlling Factor 1 Power, 1 Constituent of Enlightenment, and 1 Right Understanding.

Confidence (saddhá) occurs twice as follows:

1 Controlling Factor, 1 Power.

When the Supramundane Consciousness based on the second jhána is gained, there is no vitakka. When it is gained based on the fourth and fifth jhánas, there is no píti.

These 37 factors are collectively found only in the Supramundane Consciousness, but in the mundane separately according to the type of consciousness.

Diagram III

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Sabbasangaho

§ 5.

(i) Sabbasangahe - Pañcakkhandho, rúpakkhandho, vedanákkhandho, saññákkhandho, sankhárakkhandho, viññánakkhandho.

(ii) Pañcupádánakkhandhá - rúpupádánakkhandho, vedanúpádánakkhandho, saññúpádánakkhandho, sankhárúpádánakkhandho, viññánupádánakkhandho.

(iii) Dvádasáyatanáni - cakkháyatanam, sotáyatanam ghánáyatanam, jivháyatanam, káyáyatanam, manáyatanam, rúpáyatanam, saddáyatanam, gandháyatanam, rasáyatanam, photthabbáyatanam, dhammáyatanam.

(iv) Atthárasadhátuyo - cakkhudhátu, sotadhátu, ghánadhátu, jivhádhátu, káyadhátu, rúpadhátu, saddadhátu, gandhadhátu, rasadhátu, photthabbadhátu cakkhuviññánadhátu, sotaviññánadhátu, ghánaviññánadhátu, jivháviññánadhátu, káyaviññánadhátu, manodhátu, dhammadhátu, manoviññánadhátu.

(v) Cattári ariyasaccáni - dukkham ariyasaccam, dukkhasamudayo ariyasaccam, dukkhanirodho ariyasaccam, dukkhanirodhagáminipatipadá ariyasaccam.

Ettha pana cetasiká-sukhumarúpa-nibbánavasena ekúnasatti dhammá dhammáyatanadhammadhátú'ti sankham gacchanti. Manáyatanam eva sattaviññánadhátu vasena bhijjati.

1. Rupañ ca vedaná saññá sesá cetasiká tathá

2. Pañc' upádánanakkhandhá'ti tathá tebhumaká matá

3. Dvárálambanabhedena bhavantáyatanáni ca

Dvárálambataduppannapariyáyena dhátuyo

4. Dukkham tebhúmakam vattam tanhásamudayo bhave

Nirodho náma nibbánam maggo lokuttaro mato.

5. Maggayuttá phalá c'eva catusaccavinissatá

A Synthesis of 'the Whole' (36)

§ 5. In the compendium of 'the whole' there are:

(i) The Five Aggregates (37):

1. matter, 2. feeling, 3. perception, 4. mental states (38), 5. consciousness.

(ii) The Five Aggregates of Grasping (39):

1. matter, 2. feeling, 3. perception, 4. mental states, 5. consciousness.

(iii) The Twelve Spheres (40):

(a) Sense-Organs

1, eye (41), 2. ear, 3. nose, 4. tongue, 5. body, 6. mind (42).

(b) Sense-Objects

7. visible object, 8. sound, 9. odour, 10. taste, 11. tangible object, 12. cognizable object.

(iv) The Eighteen Elements (43):

1. eye, 2. ear, 3. nose, 4. tongue, 5. body, 6. visible object, 7. sound, 8. odour, 9. taste, 10. tangible object, 11. eye-consciousness, 12. ear-consciousness, 13. nose-consciousness, 14. tongue-consciousness, 15. body-consciousness, 16. mind, 17. cognizable object (44), 18. mind-consciousness (45).

(v) The Four Noble Truths (46):

1. the Noble Truth of Suffering, 2. the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering, 3. the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, 4. the Noble Truth of the Path leading to the Cessation of Suffering.

Herein sixty-nine entities comprising 52 mental states, 16 subtle matter, and Nibbána, are regarded as the sphere of cognizables and the cognizable element. Only the sphere of mind divides itself into seven consciousness-elements.

Summary

Matter, feeling, perception, remaining mental states, and consciousness - these five are called the five Aggregates.

Similarly those that pertain to the three planes are regarded as Five Aggregates of grasping.

As Nibbána lacks differentiation (such as past, present, future) it is excluded from the category of Aggregates.

Owing to the difference between doors and objects there arise (twelve) sense-spheres. In accordance with doors, objects, and their resultant consciousness arise the elements.

Existence in the three planes is suffering. Craving is its cause. Cessation is Nibbána. Path is regarded as supramundane.

Mental states associated with the Paths and the Fruits are excluded from the four Truths.

Thus the category of 'the whole' has been explained in five ways.

This is the seventh chapter of the Compendium of Abhidhamma dealing with the Abhidhamma Categories.

Notes:

36. Category of all such as Aggregates, etc.

37. Khandha means group, mass, aggregate. The Buddha analyses the so-called being into five groups. All the past, present, and future material phenomena are collectively called rúpakkhandha. The other four divisions should be similarly understood.

38. Here the term Sankhára is used in a specific sense. Of the 52 mental states, feeling is one, and perception is another. The remaining 50 mental states are collectively called sankhára. Mental formations, propensities, tendencies, syntheses, do not exactly convey the meaning of the Páli term. Even 'volitional activities' is not very appropriate.

'Mental states' is too general, but is not misleading.

39. Upádánakkhandha. They are so called because they form the objects of clinging or grasping. The eight supramundane states of consciousness and mental states found therein, and the ten material qualities not born of Kamma. are not treated as upádánakkhandha.

40. Áyatana means a field, sphere, basis.

41.Cakkháyatana means the sensitive part of the eye which responds to visual stimuli. The four remaining sense-organs should be similarly understood.

42. Manáyatana - There is no special organ for the mind like the physical organs. By mind-sphere is meant the 'adverting consciousness' (manodvárávajjana) together with the preceding 'arrest bhavanga' (bhavangupaccheda). See Chapter 1.

43. Dhátu is that which bears its own characteristic.

44. Dhamma-dhátu is synonymous with dhammáyatana but differs from dhammárammana as it does not include citta (consciousness), paññatti (concepts), and pasáda-rúpas (sensitive material phenomena).

45. Manoviññánadhátu - Of the 89 classes of consciousness 76 types of consciousness are regarded as mind-consciousness, excluding the tenfold sense-consciousness (dvipañcaviññána) and the three manodhátu (= two types of receiving-consciousness and sense-door consciousness).

46. Ariyasacca - The Páli term for truth is sacca which means that which is. Its Sanskrit equivalent is satya which denotes an incontrovertible fact. The Buddha enunciates four such truths which are associated with so-called beings. They are called ariyasaccání because they were discovered by the Greatest Ariya, the Buddha, who was far removed from passions .

The first truth deals with dukkha which, for need of a better English equivalent, is inappropriately rendered by suffering or sorrow. As a feeling dukkha means that which is difficult to endure. As an abstract truth dukkha is used in the sense of contemptible (du) emptiness (kha). The world rests on suffering - hence it is contemptible. It is devoid of any reality - hence it is empty or void. Dukkha, therefore, means contemptible void.

The cause of this suffering is craving or attachment (tanhá) which leads to repeated births. The third Noble Truth is Nibbána which can be achieved in this life itself by the total eradication of all forms of craving. The fourth Truth is the Noble Eightfold Path or the Middle Way.