Grammatical Analysis
Cetasika: [nt.; adj.] mental factor; mental concomitant; associated state. Formed from cetas (mind) + suffix ika (belonging to, connected with). Meaning: that which is inherently bound to and arises with consciousness.
Orthodox Definition
In the Abhidhamma, Cetasikas constitute one of the four ultimate realities (paramattha). They are the specific psychological factors that arise simultaneously with a moment of consciousness (citta), coloring it, assisting it, and executing specific functions regarding the object.
Consciousness (citta) is merely the bare awareness of an object, like clear water. The cetasikas are the dyes, flavors, and energetic forces—like greed, wisdom, feeling, or intention—mixed into that water.
The orthodox tradition maps exactly 52 Cetasikas, divided into three major categories:
- Aññasamāna (13 Ethically Variable Factors): 7 Universals (like contact, feeling, volition) and 6 Occasionals (like applied thought, energy, rapture). They adapt to the ethics of whatever mind they accompany.
- Akusala (14 Unwholesome Factors): e.g., Delusion, Greed, Hatred, Restlessness.
- Sobhana (25 Beautiful Factors): e.g., Faith, Mindfulness, Non-greed, Wisdom, Compassion.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī – The absolute foundational text providing the granular definitions and categorizations of every single mental factor.
- Textual: Abhidhammattha-saṅgaha (Chapter II) – Ācariya Anuruddha’s definitive manual mapping exactly which cetasikas combine with which cittas.
- Commentary: Atthasālinī – The exhaustive exegesis explaining the synchronous arising, ceasing, and object-sharing properties of these concomitants.