Forms of Citta (Consciousness) in /^i? Literature: A Critical Study

Introduction

According to Buddhism, Consciousness or mind is very important as it is a substance which makes beings low or high, poor or rich so an so forth. When one of Devas approached and asked the Buddha the following question: Kenassu niyate loko, kenassu parikassati. Kenassu ekadhammassa, sabbeva vasamanvagu.

(1) What leads the world? (2) What does the world gravitate to?

(3) What kinds of single phenomenon's whim, to the rest follow?

To these questions, the Buddha explained the following answer:

Cittena Niyate loko, cittena parikassati. Cittassa ekadhammassa, sabbeva vasamanvagu^. (l)The whole world is lead by the consciousness (2) It is gravitated by consciousness, and

' Suttanta Pitaka, Samyutta Nikaya, Sagathavagga Samyutta, Devata Samyutta, Adha-vagga, Citta Sutta, p-36, 6* Syn. Edn. (3) All phenomena follow the whim of one single

consciousness. Something more about consciousness, the following statements made by Thera Maha Buddhaghosa are notable in his commentary on named Atthasalini. Katham Cittakaranatayati? Lokasminhi citta kammato uttari annarh cittaih nama natthi." "How does the consciousness make things marvelous? All over the world, there is nothing which is more amazing than the art of picture. " Tasmimpi caranarii nama cittaih aticittameva hotf Of them, the masterpiece named 'Carana' exceeds all drawing.

''tatopi cittameva citta tararii'^ "even than it, the consciousness is more marvelous." Consciousness, according to the Buddha's teaching, is of various kinds corresponding to which being are also different from each other. In the world, we can see different human beings in the same human society. Herein, focus is not only on the human beings but also all beings including animal kingdoms.

According to Buddhist Canons, every individual possesses particular types of consciousness. In them, for example, the animal kingdom also is included. The animal kingdom, though there are countless species in both land and water, the Buddha does not classify

^A.S. P: 106 ^. Ibid. P: 106 3 into variation as it is regarded only one single category as "ahetuka satta" or beings without all moral conditions. According to modem psychology, some of the animals like dogs have intelligence because of which they can be taught to some extent but such kind of animal's intelligence is not able to reach higher knowledge or wisdom that can be possessed only by higher beings like humans. So, in accordance with the Buddhist literature, they are regard as ""ahetuka satta" or beings without all moral conditions through which the deeper natural phenomena can be enlightened. The above statement has clearly mentioned the important role of consciousness or mind {Citta) in all beings in Buddhism. Therefore we need to deeply study the Mind in a great perspective. Consciousness is the most powerful energy in body of sentient beings in the world as the petrol oil is very important to its machine concerned. Without consciousness the physical body or Sanra cannot run at all. In this contact the idea of consciousness is being an interesting fact to be studied. Furthermore, Mind is defined in Buddhism as a non-physical phenomenon which perceives, thinks, recognizes, experiences and reacts to the environment. The mind is described as having two aspects: clarity and knowing; meaning that the mind is clear, formless and allows objects to arisie in it, and that the mind is knowing, awareness, a consciousness which can engage with object.

Understanding the functioning of our mind and forms is the basis of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Similarly, in the Abhidhamma (the earliest attempt at a systematic representation of Buddhist philosophy and psychology), the world is regarded as a phenomena originating in the mind. Therefore, this is the reason why the forms of Citta (consciousness) are selected for the present research.

There is no doubt Consciousness {Citta) is the most significant energy in all beings, both human and animal beings. The Buddha Uttered in the Dliammapada, as following:

Manopubbangamd dliamma, manosetthd manomayd Manasdce padutthena, bhdsativd Icarotivd. Tatonam dukkhamanveti, cakkamva vahatopadarii^.

It says "all mental phenomana have the consciousness as their forerunner and chief. They are mind-made. If a person speaks or acts with evil consciousness, then suffering follows him like wheels do the hoof-prints of bull who draws a cart". This verse manifests how the mind in the sentient beings plays the important role. The mind can make a being superior as well as inferior. Therefore, we as human beings who posses the higher knowledge should try to know and understand the significance of consciousness so that we will able to make ourselves excellent human beings who willjcapable to try to take salvation from ill of the psycho­ physical plane.

^. Suttant Pitaka, Khuddaka Nikaya, Dhammapada Atthakatha, Yamaka vagga, Cakkhupalatthera- vatthu, p-l,6^Syn. Edn. The present work had pondered on the following questions:

• The relationship between consciousness and its body. • The way how a person develop his or her consciousness towards superiority.

• The relationship between the Buddhist psychology and modern psychology. • The way how the mind (consciousness) actually make individuals different from one another.

• The important role of consciousness in the development of an

individual. Various eminent scholars and researchers haveheen written on the form of mind either in the form of independent books or as part of the books. However, their perspectives and conclusions are rather hardly accord one another though they usually based on the same materials. The present work is another attempt to clarify the fundamental form of mind from Theravada Buddhist perspectives. -^

Chapterlization

Keeping the important role of the mind (Cltta) the present work has collected the sources largely from the PdJj canon as well as from the secondary sources. The collected sources and the passages have been analyzed systematically and critically. The work is arranged in five chapters as follows. Chapter 1. Citta oi consciousness

This chapter is based on the study of Buddhist Canonical texts, h the Pali Nikayas and Atthakatha while reference^ are made to the other contemporary texts such as Abhidhammatthasangaha and Dhammapada as well whenever it is found necessary. The first chapter mainly deals with the definition of Citta (Consciousness) and classification of the Citta (Consciousnesss). While discuss^ the definition of the mind or Citta grammatical explanation is given in brief account, on the other hand classification of mind or Citta will be mentioned in detailed account as discussed in Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Chapter 2. Cetasika or mental factors

In this chapter, basically will be discussed 52-Cetasika (Mental Factors). Cetasika (Mental Factors) are the assistance of Consciousness as the consciousness by itself cannot run. The chapter will examine^ 01^-^ the classification of Cetasikas together with microanalysis enumeration according to Theravada Abhidhamma.

Chapter 3. The relationship between Citta and Cetasika

In this chapter, t^y^Qai^of'^mQ relationship between , Citta q), (consciousness) and Cetasika (mental factors) ish39_£^s^tial. because ^ ^ Cetasika arises depending on only Citta and associates with Cetasika. Citta and some of the Cetasikas work together on the same object. Therefore, the third chapter deals with the relationship between Citta (consciousness) and Cetasika (mental factors), we_mLL3sdth the same. iCS\ According to the Abtiidliamniattiiasangaha, the way of Sampayoga and Saiiga/ia particularly also will be in discussion in this chapter.

Chapter 4. Mind creates all

In this chapter, I will discuss how the consciousness makes or creates an individual superior or inferior. Some literal stories from the texts like Dhammapada Attliakatha and Jatakas and other relevant treaties are also quoted to elaborate upon the point.

In this chapter the following aspects will be discussed: l)The nature of mind 2)Mind can travel afar 3)Mind wonder alone 4)Mind can be tamed 5)Why mind should be reformed 6)The example of king Milinda 7)Mind leads the world 8)Mind crates the Peta (Ghost) world and 9)Mind crates the human world so and so forth. I will present the many stories, according to Buddhist views and other views. Chapter 5. Comparative Study between Buddhist and Modem psychology

The fifth chapter will be [running under/a comparative study ti— between Buddhist and modern psychology of the mind because as when we study Buddhist psychology we cannot ignore the modern psychology. Since modern psychology itself is a wide filed 35 it is not •r possible to discuss it in detail so tljat^^e present discussion has ^r/ enumerated the basic modern psychology and their classification and interpretation as brief as possible. r Conclusion

In the conclusion, will be concluding my research work according to all chapters mentioned above. I have given the reference mostly from the Tipitaka Pali texts books the Sixth Synod (6''' Buddhist Council) versions, printed in Myanmar, in Myanmar letters for Buddhism and secondary sources, translation of Buddhist literatures.