The Sobhana Cittas in Our Life - Sobhana cittas only arise with beautiful roots

There are also sobhana cittas arising in our life, cittas which are accompanied by sobhana (beautiful) cetasikas. Three among the sobhana cetasikas are hetu (root). They are : alobha, adosa and amoha or panna. Sobhana cittas are always accompanied by alobha and adosa and they may or may not be accompanied by paññā. Thus, sobhana cittas are sahetuka, accompanied by hetus. When we perform dāna (generosity), observe sīla (morality) or apply ourselves to bhāvanā (which comprises samatha, vipassanā and the study or teaching of Dhamma), there are kusala cittas, accompanied by sobhana cetasikas. Thus kusala cittas are among the sobhana cittas.

 

The kusala cittas which perform dāna, observe sīla or apply themselves to

bhāvanā are cittas belonging to the lowest plane of consciousness, the

sensuous plane ; they are kāmāvacara cittas. Kāmāvacara cittas are the

cittas we have in daily life, when, for example, we are seeing, thinking or

wishing for something. Sometimes kāmāvacara cittas arise with sobhana

hetus (beautiful roots), sometimes with akusala hetus, and sometimes

without any hetus. Dāna, sīla or bhāvanā is performed by kāmāvacara kusala

cittas: these kinds of kusala kamma can be performed in daily life, where

there are impressions through the six doors. Kāmāvacara kusala cittas are

called 'mahā-kusala cittas' ('mahā' means 'many' or 'great'). 

 

For those who attain jhāna (absorption, developed in samatha or tranquil

meditation) there is at that moment no seeing, hearing or any other sense-

impression ; then the citta is not kāmāvacara citta, but it is of a higher plane

of consciousness. The jhānacittas can be rupāvacara cittas (rūpa-

jhānacittas) or arūpāvacara cittas (arūpa-jhānacittas). However, while one

is developing samatha the cittas are mahā-kusala cittas before one attains

jhāna.

 

When the citta directly experiences nibbāna, the citta is lokuttara bhūmi

(lokuttara plane of consciousness). However, lokuttara kusala cittas (magga-

cittas) are preceded by mahā-kusala cittas in the process of cittas

during which enlightenment is attained.