Overview
Whenever an ordinary human being performs a good deed (giving, keeping precepts, meditating), the kamma is generated by a Mahākusala Citta (Great Wholesome Consciousness). The Abhidhamma divides these wholesome mind-states into eight distinct types based on their emotional tone, presence of wisdom, and whether they were spontaneous or prompted.
The List
- Accompanied by joy, associated with wisdom, unprompted (spontaneous).
- Accompanied by joy, associated with wisdom, prompted (encouraged by oneself or others).
- Accompanied by joy, dissociated from wisdom, unprompted.
- Accompanied by joy, dissociated from wisdom, prompted.
- Accompanied by equanimity, associated with wisdom, unprompted.
- Accompanied by equanimity, associated with wisdom, prompted.
- Accompanied by equanimity, dissociated from wisdom, unprompted.
- Accompanied by equanimity, dissociated from wisdom, prompted.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī – Provides the exhaustive list of mental factors that arise in each of these eight consciousnesses.