Overview
The fifth triad of the Abhidhamma Mātikā categorizes phenomena based on their relationship to the defilements/corruptions (kilesa). It distinguishes between states that are actively defiled, states that are pure but still vulnerable, and states that are absolutely beyond the reach of defilement.
The List
- Saṅkiliṭṭhasaṅkilesikā dhammā - States that are corrupted and subject to corruption: The 12 unwholesome consciousnesses and their associated mental factors. They are intrinsically defiled and fuel further defilement.
- Asaṅkiliṭṭhasaṅkilesikā dhammā - States that are uncorrupted but subject to corruption: Mundane wholesome states, resultant states, and matter. They are not intrinsically defiled, but an uninstructed worldling can still make them the object of defilement (e.g., being proud of one’s virtue, or lusting after one’s own body).
- Asaṅkiliṭṭhāsaṅkilesikā dhammā - States that are uncorrupted and not subject to corruption: The supramundane paths, fruits, and Nibbāna. They are perfectly pure and cannot ever be made the object of a defilement.
Textual References
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Mātikā 5) – Clarifies that even good, wholesome mundane actions (like generosity) still remain within the domain of saṃsāra and can be tainted if not guarded by wisdom.