Different Types of Patisandhi-citta - Santīrana-citta as rebirth consciousness

The function of patisandhi can be performed by different types of vipākacittas produced by different kammas. It depends on kamma as to which type of vipākacitta performs the function of patisandhi-citta in the case of such and such a being. Two ahetuka vipākacittas which perform the function of patisandhi are santīrana akusala vipākacitta and santīrana kusala vipākacitta.

When santīrana-citta arises in a process of cittas experiencing an object

through one of the five senses, the santirana-citta performs the function of

investigating (santirana) the object. As we have seen, santirana-citta is an

ahetuka vipākacitta. The same type of citta can perform more than one

function, but at different moments. Santīrana-citta can also perform the

function of patisandhi. When the santīrana-citta performs the function of

patisandhi it does not arise in a sense-door process and it does not

investigate an object.

There are three kinds of santīrana-citta:

1. Santīrana-citta which is akusala vipāka, accompanied

by upekkhā (indifferent feeling)

2. Santīrana-citta which is kusala vipāka, accompanied

by upekkhā

3. Santīrana-citta which is kusala vipāka, accompanied

by somanassa (pleasant feeling)

The santirana-citta which is akusala vipāka, accompanied by upekkhā, can

perform the function of patisandhi in woeful planes. This means that the

type of patisandhi-citta arising in woeful planes is of the same type as the

akusala vipākacitta which is santīrana-citta performing the function of

investigating in a sense-door process of cittas.

The santīrana-citta which is kusala vipāka accompanied by upekkhā, can,

apart from the function of investigating in a sense-door process, also perform

the function of patisandhi in human and heavenly planes.

The santīrana-citta which is kusala vipāka accompanied by somanassa does

not perform the function of patisandhi.