Meritorious thoughts

Last two episodes explained evil thoughts or immoral mental states. This episode and next to come would be on “Meritorious thoughts”, the “Moral Mental States” or Kusala Chethasika which are associated with Moral Consciousness (Kusala Chiththa).

Out of 52 Chethasikas the first 13 were Annasamana Chethasikas which was again divided as Sabba Chiththa Sadharana (7) and Prakirnaka (6). The second category was Akusala Chethasika and was 14 in numbers which makes the number of Kusala Chethasikas 25. These Chethasikas are categorized as below;

• Common to Beautiful – Sobhana Sadharana                - 19
• Abstinences – Virathi                                                   - 3
• Illimitables – Appamanna                                             - 2
• Wisdom – Panna                                                         - 1

Recall 24 types of Kusala Chiththas mentioned in Chiththa Paramaththa. First 19 of moral mental states are contained in all Kusala Chiththas, hence they are called as Sobhana Sadharana Chethasikas. The 19 of them are listed below;

1. Saddha – Confidence
2. Sathi – Mindfulness
3. Hiri – Shame
4. Oththappa – Dread
5. Alobha – Non-attachment
6. Adhosha – Goodwill
7. Thathramajjaththatha – Equanimity
8. Kayapassaddhi – Tranquility of mental states
9. Chiththapassaddhi – Tranquility of mind
10. Kayalahutha – Lightness of mental states
11. Chiththalahutha – Lightness of mind
12. Kayamudhutha – Pliancy of mental states
13. Chiththamudhutha – Pliancy of mind
14. Kayakammannatha – Adaptability of mental states
15. Chiththakammannatha – Adaptability of mind
16. Kayapagunnatha – Proficiency of mental states
17. Chiththpagunnatha – Proficiency of mind
18. Kayujjukutha – Rectitude of mental states
19. Chiththyjukatha – Rectitude of mind

The three Abstinences or Virathi Chethasikas are as follows;

20. Samma Vacha – Right Speech
21. Samma Kammantha – Right Action
22. Samma Ajeeva – Right Livelihood

Two of the Illimitables or Appamanna Chethasikas are;

23. Karuna – Compassion
24. Mudutha – Appreciative or Sympathetic Joy

Finally,

25. Panna – Wisdom

These 25 mental states contains in Kusala Chiththas in various degrees depending on the situation. From next episode onwards each of these Chethasika would be described in detail.