Function of Bhavanga - Object of bhavanga-citta II

As we have seen (Ch. 10) the patisandhi-citta experiences the same object as the akusala cittas or kusala cittas arising shortly before the cuti-citta of the previous life. If akusala kamma is going to produce the patisandhi-citta, akusala cittas arise shortly before the cuti-citta and they experience an unpleasant object. If kusala kamma is going to produce the patisandhi-citta, kusala cittas arise shortly before the cuti-citta and they experience a pleasant object. Whatever the object is, the patisandhi-citta of the next life experiences the same object.

 

The patisandhi-citta is succeeded by the first bhavanga-citta of that life and

this citta experiences the same object as the patisandhi-citta. Moreover, all

bhavanga-cittas of that life experience that object.
The 'Visuddhimagga' (XIV, 114) states with regard to the bhavanga-citta:

        

When the patisandhi-citta has ceased, then,

following on whatever kind of rebirth-consciousness it may be,

the same kinds, being the result of the same kamma whatever it may be,

occur as bhavanga-cittas with that same object; and again those same kinds. 

And as long as there is no other kind of arising of consciousness

to interrupt the continuity they also go on occurring endlessly

in periods of dreamless sleep, etc., like the current of a river.

 

The bhavanga-cittas are like the current of a river and this is interrupted

when there is an object presenting itself through one of the senses or through

the mind-door. When the cittas of the sense-door process or the mind-door

process have fallen away, there is again the current of bhavanga-cittas.