Third on the list of the five omnipresent mental events is impulse. Impulse is defined as the expression of mental function in the phase when the mind moves towards an object. Impulse is sometimes translated as intention; as such, it directs the mind. It is the most important of the mental events! Because of impulse/intention, a primary mind can move toward its designated object. Without impulse, a primary mind and its attending mental events would not engage an object. Impulse is like a magnet which automatically attracts iron filings. Impulse can be categorized according to its six supports, the six sense faculties (from the eye sense faculty to the mental sense faculty).

Reflections

The fact that impulse/intention is the most important of the mental events explains why there is so much emphasis placed on making intentions and aspirations. This inspires me to try to remember to make aspirations in every circumstance, when beginning a practice, when starting a new endeavor, when falling asleep, etc.

(mental event 2:51, omnipresent mental event 2:5)

discrimination: that which apprehends characteristics

The second of the five omnipresent mental events is discrimination. Discrimination is defined as that which apprehends characteristics. There are two types of discrimination, the discrimination of objects and the discrimination of conventional expressions.

The discrimination of objects refers to apprehending the characteristics of an object. This is the ability to apprehend each specifically characterized phenomenon (SCP) individually without mixing up its features.

The discrimination of conventional expression refers to apprehending the characteristics of what a conventional expression refers to. We are able to understand what expressions like “that’s a person” and “that’s a pillar” refer to.

There are two ways to divide discrimination can also be divided into six types: one is from the point of view of the support of discrimination (which of the six sense faculties is doing the discriminating) and one is from the point of view of the object.

Questions

1. Concerning the discrimination of conventional expression, does this refer to going from conventional expression (GCP) to referent?

It seems that going from object to GCP would be something else. I am under the impression that being able to label an object with a word (from SCP to GCP) would involve a second moment of mind and therefore not be one of the five omnipresent mental events.

2. Is this “discrimination” that is referred to in the Five Buddha Families presentation, “discriminating wisdom”? I always thought that ”discriminating wisdom” referred to knowing what to adopt and what to reject. Are these connected? If so, how?

2023 marks my 51st year on this planet. As a way to structure the coming year, I have decided to review the 51 mental events throughout the year, 1 mental event per week. I was introduced to this material in a Nitartha Institute course, Mind & Its World II, and will be relying on this source material to help me review and really understand mind and mental events.

First, some definitions. In my review, unless otherwise indicated, all definitions come from the Lorik text by KTGR.

• primary mind: that which is aware of the essential nature of an object.
• mental event: that which is aware of the features of an object

There are six groups of mental events. The first group consists of five omnipresent mental events. They are called “omnipresent” because they accompany every primary mind. If any of the five omnipresent mental events is absent, then the experience of the object cannot be completed. The example given by Acharya Sherab Gyaltsen pertains to a sovereign not being able to go anywhere without their entourage.*

Feeling

Every primary mind is accompanied by a feeling. Feelings can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral, experiences of happiness, suffering or indifference. Every primary mind. Every perception and every thought carries a positive, negative, or neutral charge.

The degree to which my virtuous, non virtuous, and neutral karma influences my experience is humbling to consider.

Questions

There is emphasis placed on the congruency of primary minds and mental events in the presentation by Acharya Sherab Gyaltsen in the Mind & Its World II text.

1. Why do we care how primary minds and mental events are congruent? (Is this point made clear in a debate context?)

* bonus question: Wasn’t Buddha Shakyamuni a sovereign who managed to escape the palace without his retinue?