Abhidhammattha Sangaha ( A Manual of Abhidhamma )
Translated by Narada Maha Thera
Published By the Buddhist Missionary Society
Chapter 2
Introduction
In the 89 types of consciousness, enumerated in the first
chapter, 52 mental states arise in varying degree.
There are 7 concomitants common to every con-
sciousness. There are 6 others that may or may not arise in
each and every consciousness. They are termed Pakinna-
kas (Particulars.)
All these 13 are designated Annasamànas, a rather
peculiar technical term. Anna means ‘other’, samàna
means ‘common’. Sobhanas, (Good), when compared with
Asobhanas (Evil,) are called Anna—‘other’ being of the
opposite category. So are the Asobhanas in contradistinc-
tion to Sobhanas.
These 13 become moral or immoral according to the
type of consciousness in which they occur.
14concomitants are invariably found in every type of
immoral consciousness.
19are common to all types of moral consciousness.
6other moral concomitants occur as occasion arises.
Thus these fifty-two (7 + 6 + 14 + 19 + 6 = 52) are found
in the respective types of consciousness in different pro-
portions.
In this chapter all the 52 mental states are enumer-
ated and classified. Every type of consciousness is micro-
scopically analysed, and the accompanying mental states
are given in detail. The type of consciousness in which
each mental state occurs, is also described.
To an impatient lay reader this chapter will appear
rather dry and uninteresting. To a critical and intelligent
reader it will, on the contrary, serve as an intellectual treat.
At the outset, for instance, a student of chemistry
may find the numerous chemical formulae somewhat per-
plexing. But he finds the subject interesting and edifying,
when he seriously attempts to analyse and examine the
various substances with different tests.
In like manner a student of Abhidhamma who reads
this chapter should first try to analyse and examine care-
fully every type of consciousness and see for himself the
mental states thereof according to his own reasoning.
Later, he should compare his results with the original text.
He will then find this chapter most illuminating, and
instead of wasting time in memorising numbers, he will
intelligently grasp the meaning of the text.
For example, let us analyse the first immoral type of
consciousness, rooted in attachment.
Somanassà-sahagata— Accompanied by pleasure,
Ditthigata-sampayutta — Connected with misbelief,
Asankhàrika — Unprompted.
This consciousness, when analysed, will show that the
Vedanà or feeling is ‘Pleasure’.
The 7 Universals and all the Particulars are found in it.
The 4 Immoral mental states common to all immor-
als, such as Moha (delusion), Ahirika (shamelessness).
Anottappa, (fearlessness), and Uddhacca (restlessness) must
arise in it.
What about the remaining ten?
Lobha—attachment must arise.
Ditthi—misbelief must arise.
Màna—conceit cannot arise.
Conceit does not arise in lobha consciousness, together
with misbelief. Ditthi is connected with wrong view, while
Màna is concerned with egoism. Both of them, say the
commentators, are like two lions that cannot live together
in one cave.
Dosa (hatred), Issà (envy), Macchariya (avarice),
and Kukkucca (brooding) cannot arise, because these four
are akin to aversion. They are found only in hateful con-
sciousness.
Thina and Middha—(sloth and torpor) do not arise
because this is an unprompted consciousness.
No Sobhanas—(beautiful) occur in an immoral con-
sciousness.
Total— 7 + 6 + 4 + 2 = 19.
Thus, on analysis, we see that the first immoral con-
sciousness consists of 19 mental states.
The other types of consciousness should be similarly
analysed.
Chapter II
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Cetasika—Mental States
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(Definition)
§1.Ekuppàda–nirodhà ca — ekàlambanavatthukà
Cetoyuttà dvipannàsa — dhammà cetasikà matà.
_______
§1.The fifty-two states that are associated with con-
sciousness, that arise and perish together with conscious-
ness, that have the same object and basis as consciousness,
are known as Cetasiks (mental states).
Notes:—
1. Cetasika = Ceta + s + ika
That which is associated with the mind or consciousness is
Cetasika. (Saüskrt—Caitasika or Caitti).
Definition—
Cetasika is
(i)that which arises together with consciousness,
(ii)that which perishes together with it,
(iii)that which has an identical object with it,
(iv)that which has a common basis with it.
Readers will note that the author has not given here a log-
ical definition according to genus and species. Instead he
speaks of four characteristic properties of a Cetasika.
The commentator cites reasons for attributing these
four properties.
No consciousness exists apart from its concomitants.
Both consciousness and its respective co-adjuncts arise
and perish simultaneously. But there are some material
qualities, such as Vinnàtti Rupa31 (Modes of Intimation)
that arise and perish simultaneously with the conscious-
ness. To exclude them the third property of having a com-
mon object has been attributed. That which possesses
these three characteristics must necessarily be endowed
with the fourth—a common basis.
According to Abhidhamma, mind or consciousness is
accompanied by fifty-two mental states (cetasikas).
One of them is Vedanà (feeling); another is Sannà
(perception). The remaining fifty are collectively called
Sankhàrà. Cetanà (volition) is the most important of them.
The whole group of feelings is called Vedanàk-
khandha. So are Sannàkkhandha and Sankhàrakkhandha.
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