The Abhidhamma
in plain language

Learn the “science of the mind” from the Abhidhamma Piṭaka — consciousness, mental factors, matter, Nibbāna, the cognitive process, kamma and conditionality. Explained simply, step by step from the basics. No knowledge of Pāli needed.

Today's review · Lesson 6

The 8 great wholesome consciousnesses and the beautiful factors

Before giving one is glad; while giving one's mind is serene; having given one is uplifted. (Aṅguttara Nikāya, Book of Sixes)

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Lesson 1

What is the Abhidhamma?

The seven books — Saṅ Vi Dhā Pu Ka Ya Pa Foundations
Lesson 2

The four ultimate realities and concepts

What “really exists”, and what is only a name Foundations
Lesson 3

Consciousness (citta)

That which knows an object — 89 or 121 types Consciousness
Lesson 4

The 52 mental factors (cetasika)

What colours the mind — good, bad or neutral Mental factors
Lesson 5

The 12 unwholesome consciousnesses and 14 unwholesome factors

The roots of suffering — greed, hatred, delusion ConsciousnessMental factors
Lesson 6

The 8 great wholesome consciousnesses and the beautiful factors

Goodness has levels — even within one act of giving ConsciousnessMental factors
Lesson 7

The 28 kinds of matter (rūpa)

Body and material things, as the Abhidhamma sees them Matter & Nibbāna
Lesson 8

Nibbāna

The one ultimate reality that is unconditioned Matter & Nibbāna
Lesson 9

The cognitive process (vīthi)

What the mind does in the split second of “seeing” Mind process & kamma
Lesson 10

Life-continuum, rebirth-linking and death

The stream of consciousness flowing beneath a whole life ConsciousnessMind process & kamma
Lesson 11

Javana and the ripening of kamma

Where kamma is made, and when it bears fruit Mind process & kamma
Lesson 12

The 31 planes of existence

Where beings can be born — and the planes of the mind Mind process & kamma
Lesson 13

Dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda)

How suffering arises — the twelve links Conditionality
Lesson 14

The Paṭṭhāna: 24 conditions

Nothing arises from a single cause Conditionality
Lesson 15

Why study the Abhidhamma?

From the textbook to seeing mind and matter in real life FoundationsPractice
Lesson 16

Practising the four foundations of mindfulness

Body, feeling, mind, dhammas — a step-by-step guide Practice
Lesson 17

The 16 insight knowledges

The stages of wisdom that arise as the fruit of vipassanā Practice