amoha
Non-delusion
[ AH-moh-ha ]
Seeing it in life
Amoha sees phenomena as they are. Functionally the same as wisdom (paññā); the root of all wisdom-associated wholesome cittas.
In short
The third wholesome root — identical with paññā.
The analysis
Amoha sees phenomena as they are — functionally identical to paññā, wisdom, and the third of the three wholesome roots, present whenever a wholesome citta is accompanied by knowledge rather than dissociated from it. Where alobha and adosa are present in every wholesome citta at minimum, amoha is the further factor distinguishing the more complete wholesome cittas from those without that accompanying clarity.
Where it sits
Amoha's opposite is moha, present in every unwholesome citta as the deepest root. As the third wholesome root, amoha completes the trio with alobha and adosa.
The specific clarity of seeing a habitual reaction for what it is, in the moment it's happening, rather than simply managing to avoid acting on it through willpower alone, is amoha present alongside the restraint — understanding, not just suppression.
Commonly mistaken for
Intelligence. Amoha is a specific penetrative clarity accompanying wholesome consciousness, not general cognitive capacity.
A separate factor from paññā. The texts treat them as functionally the same.
Abhidhammattha Saṅgaha II.
Related terms