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Grammatical Analysis

Atthipaccaya: [m.] Presence condition. Formed by atthi (is, exists, presence) + paccaya (condition).

Orthodox Definition

Atthi-paccaya is the twenty-first of the 24 Conditions. It describes a structural relationship where conditioning phenomena render vital assistance to other phenomena simply by means of their current, active presence.

The text defines this condition as a state providing assistance explicitly through its existing status (atthibhāvena), characterized fundamentally by its present nature (paccuppannalakkhaṇena), acting as a support for concurrent states. In terms of its analytical application, its structural matrix (mātikā) is established across a sevenfold classification, organizing this existential support according to formless aggregates, the great material elements, the interplay of mind-and-matter (nāmarūpa), consciousness and its mental factors, the material elements, the sense-bases, and the physical base (vatthu).

Quote

614. Paccuppannalakkhaṇena atthibhāvena tādisasseva dhammassa upatthambhakattena upakārako dhammo atthipaccayo.
A state (dhammo) that provides assistance through its existence (atthi-bhāvena) with a present characteristic (paccuppanna-lakkhaṇena), by supporting such a state (tādisasseva dhammassa upatthambhakattena), is the condition of presence (atthi-paccaya).

Tassa arūpakkhandhamahābhūtanāmarūpacittacetasikamahābhūtaāyatanavatthuvasena sattadhā mātikā nikkhittā.
Its matrix (mātikā) is set forth in seven ways, according to formless aggregates, great elements, nama-rūpa, consciousness and mental factors, great elements, sense-bases, and physical base (vatthu).

Visuddhimagga

Textual References

  • Abhidhamma: Paṭṭhāna – “The four immaterial aggregates are related to one another by presence condition. The great elements are related to one another by presence condition.”
  • Commentary: Visuddhimagga – Setting down the exact functional definitions of present support along with its specific sevenfold structural framework (sattadhā mātikā).

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