Overview
The sixth triad of the Abhidhamma Mātikā categorizes all consciousness based on the presence of two specific mental factors: Applied thought (Vitakka, the initial mounting of the mind onto an object) and Sustained thought (Vicāra, the continued stroking or anchoring on that object). This triad is essential for mapping the architecture of the jhānas.
The List
- Savitakkasavicārā dhammā - States with applied and sustained thought: Includes most sense-sphere consciousnesses and the First Jhāna, where the mind requires both factors to grasp and hold the object.
- Avitakkavicāramattā dhammā - States without applied thought but with sustained thought: Specifically refers to the Second Jhāna (in the fivefold Abhidhamma system), where the mind has dropped the gross initial application but still maintains the subtle sustained stroking of the object.
- Avitakkaavicārā dhammā - States without applied or sustained thought: Includes the higher jhānas (third, fourth, fifth) where the mind is so perfectly unified it requires no conceptual anchoring, as well as the five sense-consciousnesses (seeing, hearing, etc.) which only receive raw data without conceptualizing.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Mātikā 6) – Establishes the Abhidhammic fivefold division of jhāna, in contrast to the fourfold division found in the suttas.