Saya U Khin Zaw Discourse

File no. 009

THE 52 MENTAL FACTORS (CETASIKAS)

The Buddha explained that there are 52 mental factors (CETASIKAS). They are dependent on and
born out of consciousness. That is why they are called mental factors. The only function of
consciousness is to know an object, it is just bare awareness. It cannot by itself make good or evil.
It becomes good or evil accordingly under the influence of good or evil mental factors. For
example, even though the water is in itself colorless, it becomes red, blue or yellow respectively
on addition of red, blue or yellow dye. In like manner, the mind behaves. Consciousness can be
compared to water and mental factors to the colored dye.

The combination of consciousness and mental factors is called the mind. They arise together and
cease together.

(Note: In some contexts, Viññāṇa is also called CITTA in Pali. They both mean consciousness).

CITTA (consciousness) + CETASIKA (mental factor) = Nāma (mind)

Among the 52 mental factors:

7 are called ‘Universal’

6 are called ‘Particular’

14 are called ‘Immoral’

25 are called ‘Moral’ mental factors

7 Universal mental factors (SABBA-CITTAKA)

These are called Universal (or 7 Common Properties) because they are present in any type of
consciousness. They are:

1. Phassa, contact: There are 6 types of contact (eye-contact, ear-contact, nose-contact, tongue-
contact, body-contact, and mind-contact)
2. Vedanā, Feeling / sensation
3. Saññā, Perception
4. Cetanā, Volition
5. Ekaggatā, Concentration of mind, one-pointedness
6. Jīvita, Mental life

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7. Manasikāra, attention

6 Particular mental factors (Pakiṇṇaka)

These are called ‘Particular’ because they are present in some types of consciousness, not in every
consciousness. They are:

1. Vitaka, Initial application of the mind on an object

2. Vicāra, Sustained application of the mind on an object
3. Viriya, Effort
4. Pīti, Satisfaction or joy
5. Chanda, Desire to do, wish
6. Adhimokkha, Deciding, not wavering, freedom of the mind from the wavering state between
the 2 courses of ‘Is it?’ or ‘Is it not?’

14 immoral mental factors (Akusala)

Those that lead to evil deeds and cause hindrances to progress in meditation.

1. Lobha, Greed
2. Dosa, Aversion, anger
3. Moha, Ignorance, delusion
4. Diṭṭhi, Wrong view
5. Māna, Pride
6. Issā, Envy, jealousy
7. Macchariya, Stinginess, selfishness
8. Kukkucha*, Worry, undue remorse or repent for what has been done wrongly in the past or
for failing to do good deeds. [Kukkucha is of two kinds: Repent, remorse for having performed
bad deeds in the past. One thinks again and again over the evil deeds he has committed in
the past. Worry, restlessness at the thought of failing to do good deeds. The Buddha advised
not to repent over bad deeds that one has done before, but to avoid to commit such deeds
again, and perform good deeds as much as one can].
9. Ahirika, Shamelessness, no shame to do evil deeds
10. Anottappa, No fear to do evil deeds
11. Uddhacca, Distraction
12. Thīna, Sloth or dimness of consciousness
13. Middha, Torpor or dimness of the mental factors [Thīna-Middha = dimness of the mind]
14. Vicikicchā, Doubts about the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, wavering between belief and
disbelief

25 moral mental factors (KUSALA)

1. Alobha, Non-greed
2. Adosa, Non-anger

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 3. Amoha, Non-delusion, wisdom
4. Saddhā, Faith
5. Sati, Mindfulness
6. Hiri, Modesty, ashame to do evil deeds
7. Ottappa, Moral dread, fear to do evil deeds
8. Tatramajjhattatā, Equanimity, balance of mind (= Upekkhā)
9. Kāya-passaddhi, Composure of mental factors
10. Citta-passaddhi, Composure of consciousness (Kāya-passaddhi + Citta-passaddhi =
Composure or calmness of the mind)
11. Kāyalahutā, Lightness of mental factors
12. Cittalahutā, Lightness of consciousness (Kāyalahutā + Cittalahutā = Lightness of buoyancy of
the mind)
13. Kāyamudutā, Gentleness of mental factors
14. Cittamudutā, Gentleness of consciousness (Kāyamudutā + Cittamudutā = Gentleness,
softness, or pliancy of the mind)
15. Kāyakammaññatā, Fitness of mental factors
16. Cittakammaññatā, Fitness of consciousness (Kāyakammaññatā + Cittakammaññatā = Fitness
of the mind for work, or adaptability of the mind)
17. Kāyapāguññatā, Proficiency of mental factors
18. Cittapāguññatā, Proficiency of consciousness (Kāyapāguññatā + Cittapāguññatā =
Proficiency of the mind, no reluctance, having enthusiasm to act)
19. Kāyujukatā, Rectitude of mental factors
20. Cittujukatā, Rectitude of consciousness (Kāyujukatā + Cittujukatā = Rectitude of the mind,
straight forwardness of the mind, not cunning)
21. Sammā Vācā, Right speech
22. Sammā Kammanta, Right action
23. Sammā Ajīva, Right livelihood
24. Karunā, Compassion
25. Muditā, Sympathetic joy, delight in the success of others

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[The 52 Mental Factors by Saya U Khin Zaw, International Meditation Center (IMC – Yangon), Myanmar,
2016]

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