About Citta, Vinanna and Mano

[Jhindra]

According to early Buddhist texts, what is difference between citta, vinanna and mano?

[Gabriel_L]

Citta, Mano, Viññana - Definitions and distinctions

What can be said to be - acording to EBTs - the definitions and distinctions between the terms citta, mano and viññana? What are key the practical implications and doctrinal contexts of use of these terms in the EBTs? How does the progressive abandoning of the 5 lower and higher fetters (saṃyojana) affect (or not) these things?

[Gabriel_L]

@sujato

While there have been many attempts to show that these are either the same or different, in my view that is missing the point somewhat. The terms are, generally speaking, synonyms, and their usage overlaps to some degree, but they tend to be used in different contexts:

Viṇṇāṇa is part of the khandhas and āyatanas, and hence pertains to the first noble truth: it is suffering.

Mano is typically used in an active sense of will or volition, closely related to kamma, and hence pertains to the second noble truth, the cause of suffering.

Citta is to be developed and thus pertains to the fourth noble truth.

The cessation of all these is, of course, the third noble truth.

[Mat]

This sutta uses these words in the same sentence:

But, bhikkhus, as to that which is called ‘mind’ and ‘mentality’ and ‘consciousness’ (cittam, mano, vinnanam) —the uninstructed worldling is unable to experience revulsion towards … SN12.61

This explains their impermanence:

Just as a monkey roaming through a forest grabs hold of one branch, lets that go and grabs another, then lets that go and grabs still another, so too that which is called ‘mind’ and ‘mentality’ and ‘consciousness’ arises as one thing and ceases as another by day and by night.

…and our difficulty letting go of the attachment towards it:

Because for a long time this has been held to by him, appropriated, and grasped thus: ‘This is mine, this I am, this is my self.’ Therefore the uninstructed worldling is unable to experience revulsion towards it, unable to become dispassionate towards it and be liberated from it.

With metta

Mat

[Jhindra]

Many thanks…