The Abhidhamma Dictionary
No. 03
CITTA
[ chit·ta ]
Pāli: citta | Pronunciation: chit-ta
DEFINITION
The mind that knows and experiences. The aware, conscious heart-mind that perceives an object.
Seeing It in Life
When you see, hear, think, remember, decide or imagine—citta is the knowing that is present.
Key Insight
Citta is not the self. It is a momentary knowing that arises and passes away, moment by moment.
Related Terms
- Viññāṇa (consciousness)
- Manasikāra (attention)
- Saññā (perception)
- Citta (mind-moments)
As a ripple on water, so is citta—arising, knowing, and passing away.
Understand Mind. Transform Life.