Human Development

Secondary mental factors

Description:
These are the means by which what is perceived by the means of sense consciousness are interpreted by the mind. There are 51: 5 ever-recurring or omnipresent; 5 object-attentive or determining; 11 virtuous; 6 root deluded; 20 auxiliary deluded; 4 changeable. Every act of cognition involves some of these factors - those always present (neither beneficial nor detrimental) and others beneficial or not. Cognition may become valid and virtuous through learning discernment.
Context:
The secondary mental factors, together with the afflictions, are comparable with the mental activities or formations of Hinayana Buddhism.<
Related:
Ways of knowing