Reality consists of fundamental building blocks that shape our existence. Understanding these elements provides insight into both our conventional experience and ultimate truth.
Fundamental Concepts
A dhamma (entity) possesses an intrinsic nature – a fundamental characteristic that exists independently of other phenomena. For example, tangibility, the resistance preventing two material objects from occupying the same space-time, manifests regardless of other factors. By contrast, concepts like space between objects are mental projections (paññatti) – useful for conscious processing but lacking intrinsic nature.
These 72 dhammas comprise our complete palette for understanding conditioned reality (sankhata dhamma). This model isn’t meant to exhaustively describe reality – rather, it provides the essential tools for transcending conditionality.
The Bridge Between Realities
Our everyday experience involves conventional reality (sammuti-sacca) – the world of apparent things, beings, self, and concepts. The spiritual practitioner learns to look beyond this to ultimate reality (paramattha-sacca). Since ultimate reality remains initially inaccessible, we must construct a bridge – a precise mental model that, while still conceptual, enables breakthrough to the unconditioned (asankhata).
This model explores reality through causes and conditions. Conditioned reality consists of three fundamental categories:
- Rupa (physical phenomena)
- Nama (mentality), comprising consciousness and mental factors
- Nibbana (the unconditioned), the 72nd dhamma
The Architecture of Experience
Consciousness (Citta)
At its most basic, consciousness manifests as momentary awareness (citta). Each citta must have an object – whether sensory input or mental phenomena. At this fundamental level, consciousness performs a single function, with multiple cittas operating sequentially to enable mental processing.
Mental Factors (Cetasikas)
The 52 cetasikas always accompany consciousness. Every citta arises with at least seven universal mental factors (sabbacitta-sadharana), which stabilize and enable conscious function. Additional cetasikas color awareness with wholesome or unwholesome qualities.
Material Elements (Rupa-Dhammas)
While traditional Abhidhamma lists 28 types of matter, only 18 possess intrinsic nature:
The Four Great Elements (Mahabhuta):
- Earth (pathavi) – solidity
- Water (apo) – cohesion
- Fire (tejo) – temperature
- Air (vayo) – motion
Five Sensitive Material Bases (Pasada-rupa):
Special matter like the retina and cochlea that enables sensory awareness
Four Sense Objects:
Properties that interact with sensitive matter (excluding touch, which manifests through the great elements)
Heart Base (Hadaya-vatthu):
The electromagnetic vortex in iron-rich blood serving as physical basis for mind
Sex Bases (Bhava-rupa):
Dual qualities of masculinity (purisa-bhava) and femininity (itthi-bhava), varying in intensity
Life Faculty (Jivita-rupa):
The prana maintaining homeostasis
Nutritive Essence (Oja):
The factor enabling growth and repair through external nutrients
The Path Forward
These 72 dhammas construct our entire experiential universe. The 71 conditioned dhammas compose our matrix of samsaric existence, while one – nibbana – represents the spiritual practitioner’s goal: liberation from conditionality and suffering.
In subsequent exploration, we’ll examine each category in detail, particularly the varieties of consciousness and their accompanying mental factors. For now, grasp this fundamental framework: consciousness, its 52 mental factors, 18 types of matter, and the unconditioned state that transcends them all.
Abhidhamma 72 entities study cards.
Further Reading
- A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma (Bhikkhu Bodhi)
- Understanding the Mind in Buddhist Philosophy (youtube.com)
- Abhidhamma: Buddhist Philosophy and Psychology (wikipedia)
- The Nature of Consciousness (plato.stanford.edu)
The article on the 72 Types of Entities comes from Dr. Simon Robinson’s groundbreaking work “Nigredo,” the first volume in his illuminating series “A Course in Modern Alchemy.” This profound exploration of consciousness and reality bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding, offering readers a practical pathway to spiritual transformation.
In Nigredo, Dr. Robinson masterfully weaves together Buddhist philosophy, Western mysticism, and alchemical traditions to create a comprehensive guide for inner transformation. The book takes readers on a journey through the dark night of the soul – the nigredo phase of alchemy – exploring fundamental concepts like the Fisher King Wound, the nature of consciousness, and the architecture of human experience. Through careful examination of the 72 dhammas, mental factors, and material elements, the work provides a detailed map for navigating the path from conventional to ultimate reality.
At its heart, this work is both a philosophical treatise and a practical manual for those seeking deeper understanding of themselves and reality itself. The author’s unique approach combines rigorous intellectual analysis with accessible metaphors and real-world applications, making complex esoteric concepts approachable for modern readers. Whether you’re a serious student of mysticism or simply curious about the nature of consciousness, having this physical volume at hand serves as both a comprehensive reference and a companion on your journey of self-discovery.
Discover Your Path to Inner Transformation
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