Function of Bhavanga - Object of bhavanga-citta I

There are nineteen types of patisandhi-citta and thus there are nineteen types of bhavanga-citta. If the patisandhi-citta is akusala vipāka, which is the case when there is birth in a woeful plane, all bhavanga-cittas of that life are akusala vipāka as well.  If the patisandhi-citta is ahetuka kusala vipāka, in which case one is handicapped from birth, all bhavanga-cittas of that life are ahetuka kusala vipāka as well. If the patisandhi-citta is sahetuka (arising with sobhana hetus or beautiful roots), the bhavanga-citta is sahetuka as well. All bhavanga-cittas during a lifespan are of the same type as the patisandhi-citta of that life. If one is born with two hetus, with alobha (non-attachment or generosity) and adosa (non-aversion or kindness), but without wisdom, then all bhavanga-cittas have only two hetus. Such a person can cultivate wisdom, but he cannot become enlightened during that life. If one is born with three hetus, which means that one is born with alobha, adosa and paññā (wisdom), all bhavanga-cittas are accompanied by these three sobhana hetus (beautiful roots) as well. Thus that person is more inclined to cultivate wisdom and he can attain enlightenment during that life. If one is born with somanassa (happy feeling), all bhavanga-cittas of that life are accompanied by somanassa.

 

Every citta must have an object and thus the bhavanga-citta too has an

object. Seeing has what is visible as object; hearing has sound as object, but

the bhavanga-citta has an object which is different from the objects

presenting themselves through the senses and through the mind-door. The

bhavang-acitta which is the same type of citta as the patisandhi-citta also

experiences the same object as the patisandhi-citta.