Secondary mental factors (Buddhism, Tibetan)

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.

The secondary mental factors, together with the afflictions, are comparable with the mental activities or formations of Hinayana Buddhism.