Buddhist Psychology – The 51 Mental Factors

When we gradually begin to free ourselves from habitual ego-identification with our thoughts, emotions and states of mind through meditation, it becomes possible to recognize that there are mental factors within us that are common to all mentally gifted beings. Buddhism groups these into a representation of 51 mental factors.

These include both those that are orientated towards beneficial and liberating effects as well as those that are unwholesome and painful. The basic Buddhist idea that “all things emanate from the mind” becomes evident in this representation.

The 51 mental factors are categorized into:

• – 5 omnipresent factors

• – 5 object-determining factors

• – 11 wholesome factors

• – 6 primary unwholesome factors

• – 20 secondary unwholesome factors

• – 4 variable factors
  

They thus represent a kind of model of Buddhist psychology and as it can already be found in the Abhidharma teachings of Early Buddhism.

Anyone who is interested in Buddhism or tries to practice it would do well to know these teachings and take them to heart in their own meditation when contemplating their own states of mind.

Friday, September 27
19:00 pm to 20:30 pm Introduction

Saturday, September 28
08:00 am to 08:30 am meditation
10:00 am to 11:30 am teaching
15:00 pm to 16:30 pm teaching

Sunday, September 29
08:00 am to 08:30 am meditation
10:00 am to 11:30 am teaching

English with German translation.

Additional Texts used for daily practrice: PDF Download