Containments in Mind

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 does 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. 7 out of Annasamana Chethasikas contains in all the Chiththas. They are known as “Universal Mental States” or Sabba Chiththa Sadharana Chethasikas. Rest of the 6 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. Rests 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 3 “Abstinences” (Virathi), 2 “Illimitables” (Appamanna) and 1 “Wisdom” (Panna) mental states.

Following diagram summarizes 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 7 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.