The Sobhana Cittas in Our Life - Kama-sobhana cittas and non kama-sobhana cittas

Altogether there are fifty-four cittas which are kāma-bhumi, or kāmāvacara cittas, cittas of the sensuous plane of consciousness. They are:

         

         12 akusala cittas             }

         18 ahetuka cittas             }    30  asobhana cittas

        

         8 mahā-kusala cittas        }

         8 mahā-vipākacittas         }     24 sobhana cittas

         8 mahā-kiriyācittas           }

        

There are also sobhana cittas which are not kama-sobhana cittas, namely :

          the sobhana cittas which are rūpa-bhumi

          (rūpāvacara cittas, for those who attain rūpa-jhāna)

          

           the sobhana cittas which are arūpa-bhūmi

          (arūpāvacara cittas, for those who attain arūpa-jhāna)

          

           the sobhana cittas which are lokuttara-bhūmi, for

           those who attain enlightenment

 

Only kāmāvacara cittas (cittas of the kama-bhūmi or sensuous plane of

consciousness) can be asobhana cittas. Cittas which are rūpa-bhūmi, arūpa-

bhūmi and lokuttara-bhūmi can only be sobhana cittas.

 

Those who do not attain jhāna or attain enlightenment cannot have the cittas

of the other bhumis, but they can verify the truth of the Buddha's teachings

as regards the kama-bhūmi. We can find out for ourselves whether it is

helpful to perform dāna, observe sīla and cultivate bhāvanā. We can find out

whether the cultivation of these ways of kusala helps us to have less akusala

cittas. Sometimes it is the right moment for dāna, sometimes for sīla or for

bhāvanā. Vipassanā, however, one can cultivate while performing dāna,

observing sīla, cultivating samatha, or while one is studying or teaching

Dhamma, and also at those moments when there is no opportunity for dāna,

sīla or the other ways of kusala. Even if mindfulness of nāma and rūpa has

not yet been accumulated much, one can find out whether it is a condition for

having less akusala cittas and less attachment to the concept of self. In being

mindful we can verify the truth of the Buddha's teachings.


Topic 192