Overview

Every single evil, harmful, or selfish act committed by any being in the universe is driven by one of these twelve specific mind-states. The Abhidhamma categorizes all unwholesome consciousness (akusala citta) strictly by the dominant root (greed, hate, or delusion) that powers it.

The List

8 Rooted in Greed (Lobha-mūla):

  1. Accompanied by joy, associated with wrong view, unprompted.
  2. Accompanied by joy, associated with wrong view, prompted.
  3. Accompanied by joy, dissociated from wrong view, unprompted.
  4. Accompanied by joy, dissociated from wrong view, prompted.
  5. Accompanied by equanimity, associated with wrong view, unprompted.
  6. Accompanied by equanimity, associated with wrong view, prompted.
  7. Accompanied by equanimity, dissociated from wrong view, unprompted.
  8. Accompanied by equanimity, dissociated from wrong view, prompted.

2 Rooted in Hatred (Dosa-mūla):

  1. Accompanied by displeasure, associated with aversion, unprompted.
  2. Accompanied by displeasure, associated with aversion, prompted.

2 Rooted in Delusion (Moha-mūla):

  1. Accompanied by equanimity, associated with doubt (vicikicchā).
  2. Accompanied by equanimity, associated with restlessness (uddhacca).

Textual References

  • Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī – The definitive breakdown proving that anger is always accompanied by mental pain, while greed can be joyful.

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