Grammatical Analysis
Avigatapaccaya: [m.] Non-disappearance condition. Formed by a (not) + vigata (disappeared, gone) + paccaya (condition).
Orthodox Definition
Avigata-paccaya is the twenty-fourth and final condition of the Paṭṭhāna. Just as Disappearance (Vigata) is identical to Absence (Natthi), the Non-disappearance condition is absolutely identical to the Presence condition (Atthi-paccaya).
It simply reiterates that phenomena condition other phenomena by remaining present and not fading away. The physical eye supports seeing because it has not yet disappeared; the earth supports the tree because it has not yet vanished.
By ending the colossal matrix of the Paṭṭhāna with Presence and Non-disappearance, the Abhidhamma beautifully concludes its microscopic dismantling of reality by reminding the practitioner that despite the terrifying speed of impermanence, the causal structures of reality reliably persist and hold the universe together.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Paṭṭhāna – The canonical phrasing is verbatim identical to the Presence condition.
- Commentary: Paṭṭhāna-aṭṭhakathā – Concluding the exposition of the 24 conditions by confirming the synonymy of presence and non-disappearance.